Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Fleet topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board corrects bus purchase order and approves vehicle acquisitions; trustees discuss fleet standardization
Summary
The board approved a correction to a 2023 purchase order increasing the total for three Thomas buses by $16,569 and authorized a 3-ton truck purchase; trustees discussed efforts to standardize bus makes and consolidate maintenance to reduce parts and repair costs.
The Kanawha County Board of Education on May 5 approved an amendment to purchase order 23100071 for acquisition of three 77-passenger Thomas buses, correcting the total from $372,831 to $389,400 (an increase of $16,569). The amendment reflects a lapse from 2023 procurement to a later-model 2026 bus specification and uses state bus-transportation funds that must be dedicated to vehicle acquisition.
Trustees also approved a contract to purchase a 3-ton truck from Mid State Chevrolet for $118,273 to support grounds and maintenance operations; the vehicle will carry a plow and salt spreader and be used for materials handling and bus-turnaround maintenance. That purchase is funded from the district’s fleet replacement carryover.
Board members and Dr. Williams discussed fleet composition and parts logistics. Dr. Williams said the district’s fleet is majority Thomas buses and that moving toward a single primary brand makes maintenance and parts procurement more efficient; the board noted the district is the second-largest transportation operation in the state and referenced Berkeley County as a comparative example. Trustees also noted a grant program is supplying electric buses that were not part of this purchase and that continuity of brands reduces downtime and spare-parts complexity.
The motions to amend the bus purchase and to buy the truck passed by roll call 5-0. Board materials indicate the bus funds are state transportation funds and that the $16,569 increase covers a newer model and multi-year lag between procurement and delivery; the district did not supply an exact delivery date during the meeting.
