Board discusses surplus of 10 school buses as district nears fleet renewal

The school board workshop included a staff presentation that 10 school buses were recommended as surplus and would be added to auction, and board members discussed where surplus buses typically go and the district's broader fleet renewal progress. Transportation staff said surplus buses are placed in an auction and that private schools, charter schools and other counties sometimes contact the district about used buses. "They'll be added to the auction to surplus," a transportation staff member said when asked about disposition. Board members and administrators noted the district has been renewing its fleet. The superintendent said the district previously had one of the oldest bus fleets in Florida but has recently replaced many vehicles. "We have about a 110. This time next year, about a 120 plus of our buses will be new... I think we're close to the end of no air conditioning on school buses, so all of our school buses will have air conditioning," the superintendent said. One board member recalled previous instances where Escambia County donated buses to Okaloosa and said the district has now been able to pass on newer buses to other districts in turn. The surplus bus item was presented as recommended by the superintendent; the transcript does not record a formal board vote on the surplus list.