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Board authorizes bus procurement process and approves route changes for special-needs and foster-student transportation
Summary
The board approved going out for bids to buy buses, discussed current bus prices and delivery timelines, and approved two midyear bus-route modifications: a special-education route extension to Tom’s Cabin Road and a daily route shuttling a foster-care student from Caldwell to Emmett.
The Emmett Independent District board granted staff authority to seek bids for new school buses and approved two bus-route modifications during the meeting.
District staff explained two purchasing options: buying through Sourcewell (a cooperative purchasing contract) or seeking local bids. Staff said Sourcewell prices have historically been about 10 percent higher than direct bids; the board authorized staff to advertise and accept bids for one or more buses. District staff provided current market figures: approximately $150,000 for a general-education bus and about $175,000 for a special-education bus, and noted that new orders placed now might not be delivered until July 2026.
Separately, the board approved two route changes requested by special education and transportation staff. One modification rerouted a special-education bus to serve a newly qualified pre-K student on Tom’s Cabin Road. The other approved a new daily route to transport a student living in foster care in Caldwell to school in Emmett; staff said state placement rules require the district to provide transportation to maintain the student’s school placement.
Board members discussed recent bus sales (old buses sold for approximately $1,500 each) and options for auction or salvage; staff said auction fees and prep work reduced net proceeds and that many retired buses had high mileage. The board asked staff to return to the board before making any final purchase decisions after bids are received.
