Trustees authorized transportation purchases and accepted a revised billing approach for non‑reimbursable trips at the March meeting.

District administrators recommended and the board approved purchasing four diesel school buses from Harlow for $588,501.36 (delivery staggered across the calendar year) to replenish the fleet; staff said funds will come from the bus depreciation fund. Trustees also approved purchasing two multifunction school activity buses (MFSAB) for roughly $112,000 each from Northwest Bus Sales to provide smaller, non‑CDL vehicles for athletics and extracurricular trips; administrators said these would be paid from board‑approved projects/board‑approved funds and leave a remaining balance in that account for future projects.

Separately, transportation staff presented a revised billing method for non‑reimbursable trips (athletic and activity trips that do not qualify for state mileage reimbursement). Instead of charging schools the state reimbursement rate (recorded as $4.06 per mile), staff proposed charging a dollar‑per‑mile estimate plus a flat driver‑cost component intended to reflect fuel, wear‑and‑tear and labor. Administrators said they reviewed practices in neighboring districts and that the change should reduce billing shock to school athletics budgets while more closely matching the district’s actual cost burden for non‑reimbursable travel.

Staff also briefed trustees on long‑standing practice permitting outside organizations (for example, a local STEM charter) to use district buses; trustees tabled an MOU for STEM charter bus use so legal counsel can review liability and insurance details. Board discussion noted that when district buses are used by others the district’s insurance may be primary and that the MOU should clearly state any additional insurance or cost responsibilities for third parties.

Transportation staff reported there are a small number of buses with significant mechanical issues (three buses with motor damage), and that the approved purchases would bring the fleet closer to required operational levels. Trustees approved the purchases and instructed staff to finalize contracts and transfers from the bus depreciation fund.