Agenda Item
b. Approval to Secure Charter Transportation Service for Georgia Aquarium Experiential Learning Experiences and Junior Achievement for Students in Grades K-12 (Not to exceed $690,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education authorize the DeKalb County School District to secure transportation services from Samson Tours, Inc., Coast to Coast Tours, LLC, and R&W Motor Coach, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $690,000.
Why: This request is for Samson Tours, Inc. and Coast to Coast Tours, LLC to provide transportation to and from the Georgia Aquarium to allow students in grades K-12 to participate in instructor-led experiential learning experiences. Students will gain access to opportunities that explore careers in Marine Science. In addition, students will have the opportunity to accelerate their learning and bridge gaps in their knowledge as they engage in real world applications and experiences in science and other core content areas.
In addition, this request is for Coast-to-Coast Tours, LLC and R&W Motor Coach, Inc. to provide transportation to and from the World Congress Center to allow our sixth and seventh grade students to participate in Junior Achievement Biztown and Finance Park field trips.
Details: Samson Tours, Inc., Coast to Coast Tours, LLC, and R&W Motor Coach, Inc., are current approved carriers that can provide services until May 2026 based upon availability.
To accommodate K-12 students, Samson Tours, Inc. and Coast to Coast Tours, LLC will transport students to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the Georgia Aquarium educational programs and opportunities. Service for a 48-56 passenger bus costs approximately between $749.00 - $1,599.00 per bus.
To accommodate all sixth and seventh grade students, Coast to Coast Tours LLC and R&W Motor Coach, Inc. will transport students to the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia to participate in Biztown and Finance Park, a financial literacy simulation partnership with Junior Achievement. Service for a 56-passenger bus costs approximately $1,125.00 - $1,250.00. The total number of buses needed to transport all sixth and seventh grade students is 312 buses.
Financial impact: The total amount for transportation in an amount not exceed
$690,000. The charge codes are below:
100.2700.551900.00011.6600.9990.6010.035.0000
100.1000.530000.63311.7480.9990.8010.035.0000
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731,
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731,
Dr. Rose Prejean-Harris, Assistant Superintendent 6-12, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0137,
Mrs. Janetta Greenwood, Director, Fernbank Science Center, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-874-7119
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Quote: 2025-4 Fernbank
Date: 08/01/2025
To: From:
Dekalb County Schools (Fernbank Science Coast To Coast Tours
Center) 3401 Norman Berry Dr. Ste 272
156 Heaton Park Drive NE East Point , GA 303344
Atlanta, GA 30307
Attn: Hannah Maharaj
Pickup Trip # Requestor
Various Schools Based on
350 Buses Hannah Maharaj
DCSD Georgia Aquarium Field
Trip Schedule
Vehicle Costs: 350 buses x $950/bus
Quote Total: $299,250.00
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