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District 99 board approves purchase of up to six used activity buses at cost not to exceed $400,000
Summary
The board approved buying up to six used activity buses to reduce reliance on contracted transportation and to give coaches and advisers more flexibility; staff said mechanics will inspect the vehicles before final selection and the purchase can be funded in part by higher-than-expected replacement tax receipts.
The Downers Grove District 99 Board of Education approved a motion to buy up to six used activity buses at a cost not to exceed $400,000 to expand the district fleet used for athletics and after‑school activities. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote. "We have, found, another opportunity… and we're looking for action because used buses don't sit on the lot very long," said Travis, a district staff member who presented the proposal.
Nut graf: District staff said activity buses would give coaches and advisers local control and scheduling flexibility at lower per‑route cost over time compared with relying on external providers. Staff said the district will have its garage mechanic inspect candidate buses before final purchase and that two larger buses are available among the options.
Travis said the district previously purchased four used activity buses and that the new purchase would likely be a mix of larger and smaller buses. "We have the option opportunity to get 2 of the larger activity buses, and 4 that would replicate what we bought last year," he said, adding that final selection depends on the mechanic’s inspection. Board members asked about licensing and who drives those buses; staff said coaches and advisers drive activity buses and complete a district bus permit rather than a commercial CDL for these vehicles.
Business staff Drees told the board that the purchase was not in the tentative budget but that the state’s recently released replacement‑tax estimate was roughly $400,000 higher than previous guidance, which offsets the additional expense in the current year. "The $400,000 up to for these buses can be covered through the additional taxes," Drees said.
Action: The board approved the purchase on a motion with a roll‑call vote; the staff will inspect candidate buses and return with final purchase recommendations.
Ending: Staff said the district will reconfigure on‑site parking to store the added buses and will monitor maintenance and operational costs as part of fleet oversight.
