The Local Education Agency (LEA) Medi-Cal Billing Option Program is a fee-for-service program authorized by state and federal governments. In 1986 Congress authorized schools to bill the Medicaid (note: in California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal) program for some health related services for students with disabilities. The health related services for students with disabilities include both assessments and the treatments specified on a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) including:  audiology, counseling, nursing services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and transportation related to these services. Medi-Cal regulations set the same high professional standards for school-based providers as providers who work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other settings.

As per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations, the San Mateo-Foster City School District provides all required services as specified on a child’s IEP at no cost to parents.  However, SMFCSD can be reimbursed for the cost of those services from the federal government’s Medicaid program, and the reimbursements must be reinvested back into health and social services for students and families.

Referrals, recommendations and prescriptions for services are required to qualify services as medically necessary.  These authorizations must be provided by an enrolled Medi-Cal Provider with a National Provider Identification number. 

This contract with The Regents of the University of California provides for the consulting services of Dr. Howard Taras to authorize speech and audiology, and occupation/physical therapies for eligible Medi-Cal billing.

$45,000 or more

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REVIEW THE HVAC SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

The end of the 2018-2019 school year was also the end of the multi-year contract with First Student, the District's provider of student transportation services.  Earlier this spring the District published an advertisement in the major news publications in the area for a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Student Transportation Services for both General Education Students and Special Education Students (SPED).  For General Ed Students, transportation is from three designated locations (the Baptist Church on South Humboldt, College Park Parking, and El Dorado Street at College Park) to the various school sites, and back to the three pick up locations in the afternoon.  For SPED, transportation is from home, to school, and back to home.   

The advertisement appeared in the May 8 and May 15 publications.  The Student Transportation RFP advertisement, and the full RFP packet were also uploaded to the District's website.  On May 22, a Pre-Bid Conference was held at the District office and three prospective bidders attended:  First Student, Inc., Storer Transportation, and Durham School Services. 

Prospective bidders were required to attend the Pre-Bid Conference in order to submit a response to the RFP.  Attending the PreBid Conference was an opportunity for the District to explain the transportation services it is seeking, and to answer general questions or comments stemming from the RFP document.  The last day to address all questions and comments regarding this RFP, was June 4, and all responses from the questions/comments received were published as an Addendum, and forwarded to the three bidders.  All Addenda were uploaded to the District's website at the time they were issued.

The deadline for the RFP submittal was June 10.  Only one submittal was received by the District and it was from First Student.  After review of First Student's submittal, it was determined that the submittal is complete and responsive.  The cost of the transportation proposal is within the District's expectation. 

The contract with First Student will be for three years, with an option to renew for two additional years, for a total contract term of five years.      

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AWARD THE STUDENT TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT TO FIRST STUDENT, INC. FOR THE TERM OF AUGUST 1, 2019 THROUGH JULY 31, 2022, WITH OPTIONS TO EXTEND FOR TWO ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR TERMS.

General Fund - $2,656,294.00 per year, with an annual increase of 3%.