School board approves two new air‑conditioned buses; district cites grants and driver hires

The Tonganoxie school board approved buying two air‑conditioned buses after hearing transportation staff describe new hires, summer routing and grant awards that offset purchase costs.

Transportation director candidate Jill, staff member, told the board the district has “hired 6 new CDL drivers this year and 2 new paras,” and that the district will run eight summer routes for extended school‑year programming, “transporting about 75 to 80 students for that.” She said the district logged roughly 22,000 miles and scheduled about 325 trips between August and April.

The board approved a motion to buy a 77‑passenger and a 71‑passenger bus from Midwest Bus Company at the meeting. The purchase was discussed as part of broader fleet planning that includes one 77‑passenger bus already on order and the district’s plan to maintain three air‑conditioned buses for school and activity routes.

Jill said the district was awarded two Clean Kansas diesel‑replacement grants that “will pay 25% of the cost of a new bus,” and later told trustees the two grants together were worth “over $70,000.” She also said the grants come with a requirement to dispose of older buses: “With the grant, you have to dispose of … buses.”

Board members and staff discussed the district’s approach to disposing of retired buses and salvaging usable parts; a local vendor, Red Fuel, has removed parts from decommissioned vehicles, the presenter said. Trustees also heard that high‑mileage small buses used for wheelchair students will need replacement in coming budgets; the district currently transports six wheelchair students and anticipates at least two more in the near term.

The board voted to approve the purchases as presented. The motion and second were recorded and the item passed by voice vote.

Implementation of the bus purchases will depend on dealer build and delivery schedules and compliance with grant disposal requirements.