Board members reviewed information about planned 2026 bus and fleet purchases and asked questions about timing, costs and the district's transportation reserves.
Staff said the district has recently transferred funds out of the transportation fund (a $2.2 million transfer was cited during discussion) to cover other priorities, but there remains a reserve balance in that fund. Board members asked whether the transfer left adequate reserves for bus purchases; staff replied there is still a healthy reserve balance to support planned purchases.
Discussion touched on unit costs and industry timing: staff said heavy-truck and semi markets have softened after prior shortages, improving availability and shortening lead times compared with a year or two ago, although turnaround and costs remain elevated compared with older cycles. One board member said the district purchased buses in recent years and that prior purchases had ranged in the low six-hundred-thousands for some years; staff described the proposed fleet purchases as "high quality" vehicles and noted that master mechanic Brad Swoolman and maintenance staff support the choices.
Board members also asked about state reimbursements tied to certain student transfers; staff said reimbursement rates have declined over time and noted current reimbursement may be closer to 60% (down from prior pro-rated figures near 75'90% depending on program) for some types of transfers, and that recent transfers are reimbursed over multi-year schedules (staff cited that roughly 64% will be reimbursed to the district over five years for a specific bus-related reimbursement discussed).
No formal procurement motion was made at the meeting; the item was listed as information and board members asked staff to continue with procurement planning consistent with the district's transportation needs and available reserves.