WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Durham School Services has been awarded two new student transportation contracts that became effective July 1.

The news comes about two weeks after Durham announced that it won four contracts with school districts in South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and California, as SBF previously reported.  

Under a three-year agreement with Recovery School District in New Orleans, the company provides transportation services for 230 routes. Durham also equipped 260 buses with GPS systems, video cameras and electronic child reminder devices.

The company also secured a three-year contract with the School District of the City of Royal Oak in Michigan. Durham transports students on 25 special-education routes. In addition, the contractor outfitted the district’s buses with electronic child reminder devices.

“Durham School Services is committed to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective student transportation services to these school districts,” said John Polli, senior vice president of business development. “We look forward to partnering with these districts to deliver the highest level of safety and service to the students and parents the school districts serve.”

Durham worked to fill needed positions with as many drivers, monitors, mechanics and staff as possible from the previous transportation operations. Strict hiring policies require drivers and monitors pass a full criminal background check, a motor vehicle records check, reference checks and a complete medical examination. New drivers also must complete classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training provided by Durham before they can drive buses.