Board approves buses, vehicles, computers and fleet replacements totaling several hundred thousand dollars

The Green River School District board on Tuesday approved a series of capital purchases to replace aging vehicles and classroom equipment. Transportation director Rachel Todd asked trustees to approve a Type A replacement bus not to exceed $118,500; the board approved the purchase, and Todd said the bus and a new camera system are fully reimbursable under state replacement rules (reimbursement paid on a 5-year schedule). Todd also requested permission to seek proposals for an SUV to replace a lightly used Type A bus on a rural route, not to exceed $70,000; she said the vehicle would be 100% reimbursable if used exclusively for student transport. The board approved that request. The board further authorized two heavy-duty maintenance truck replacements, each not to exceed $80,000, outfitted with utility beds, lift gates and snowplows. The transportation and maintenance purchases are funded from district budgets and are not reimbursable, staff said. Separately, the trustees approved going out for an RFP to replace 70 of the district's oldest Newline interactive classroom displays at Expedition Academy, Monroe Elementary and the high school, with a budget not to exceed $70,000. Board members asked about disposal of retired vehicles; Todd said vehicles that do not meet DARA replacement criteria are put out for public bid. Multiple motions to approve each item passed on voice votes. District leaders said the decisions aim to balance safety, operating costs and service to rural routes while using state reimbursement opportunities when available.