Board approves three new school buses as district works to modernize aging fleet

The Eagle School District Board approved the purchase of three Type D, 84-passenger buses to begin replacing older vehicles in the district fleet.

Bonnie (Staff member) told the board the buses will arrive this week or next and that the district intentionally purchased now to lock in the current bid cycle price rather than wait for an expected September price increase. She said a tariff added roughly $10,000 per bus compared with earlier quotes. The purchase will be funded from the district’s transportation vehicle fund.

Bonnie explained the rationale for replacement: many of the district’s older buses have reached the end of depreciation and therefore no longer generate replacement funding, driving increased maintenance and downtime. Newer buses arrive under warranty, reducing labor and parts costs and improving reliability. “With the age of our fleet, the cost increases, the maintenance increases... the replacement buses will come in and take over some of those old ones that will become spares,” she said.

Board members approved the bus purchase by voice vote. Staff said the purchase will help stabilize the replacement schedule and reduce long-term operating costs for transportation.

The district also approved annual fuel and propane bids during the meeting; staff reported that, because of the district’s location, the fuel bid process typically yields a single responsive bidder. The fuel provider was listed as Associated Petroleum/World Connect at a base average price plus a 27-cent surcharge; the board approved the fuel and propane bids by voice vote.