The Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the purchase of two small vehicles to replace worn district transportation units.

Board members approved trading in a 2003 Ford F-250 and buying a 2026 Ford F-250 at a final cost of $42,558 after a $4,500 trade-in credit, and purchasing a 2025 Chrysler Pacifica for $41,664. The board approved the purchases by voice vote, 7-0; the cost will come from the district's PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) fund.

The district presented the replacement as routine fleet maintenance. "It served the district. It's now time for it to go to rest," said Rex, a district staff member who presented vehicle condition and pricing to the board. The new van will help cover routes to Ames, Cedar Falls and Waverly and replace vehicles that exceeded usable mileage; presenters said two existing vans have more than 150,000 miles and one car failed chassis inspection and must be removed from service.

Board members asked whether the purchases aligned with the district's replacement cycle and about the route and programming needs the vehicles would serve. The district replied the purchases fit the regular small-vehicle replacement cadence and that specialized transportation routes the district is required to provide would be covered by the new vehicles.

Formal motion language presented to the board was: "Approve the proposed trade in of the 2003 Ford F-250 for a ’26 Ford F-250 at a final cost of $42,558 and the purchase of a 2025 Chrysler Pacifica in the amount of $41,664 as presented." The motion passed 7-0.

The board noted bus purchases and other fleet transactions will be addressed separately later in the year when buses are delivered and the district reconciles sales and purchases.