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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Despite Woodmore crash, Hamilton County likely will extend contract with same bus company

The Hamilton County school board likely will vote to extend its contract with Durham School Services for another year after discussion at Wednesday’s board meeting revealed it would be nigh impossible to hire a new contractor for the coming school year.

Following the deadly November crash of a Durham-operated bus that killed six Woodmore Elementary students, some questioned whether the district would continue using Durham after its contract expires in 2017, but it may be too late to change course.

Lee McDade, assistant superintendent of student services, said choosing another bus service would require a months-long process and a request for proposals, all of which would be difficult to finish in time for the next school year.

Durham signed a four-year contract with Hamilton County Schools in 2013 and the company is willing to accept a much shorter one-year contract in the wake of the crash.