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Centennial SD approves purchase of replacement buses from capital funds; several votes pass with minority opposition
Summary
The Centennial School District board approved multiple replacement buses and vans Oct. 28, using previously approved capital funds, with most motions passing 7–1.
The Centennial School District board approved a series of transportation purchases during its Oct. 28 committee of the whole meeting, authorizing multiple replacement vehicles from the district’s capital allocations.
The board rejected two initial bids and approved purchases and awards under existing Sourcewell contracts and vendor quotes. Approvals included two 2025 MicroBird 30 buses from Brightbill Body Works not to exceed $209,990, a 72-passenger 2025 bus from Brightbill not to exceed $121,600, an award for two 59-passenger Ford F350 vans to Sands Ford not to exceed $123,800, and a Ford T350 HD transit van award to Sands Ford not to exceed $54,720. Several of the motions carried with 7–1 recorded votes.
Operations staff said the purchases are part of an ongoing plan to replace aging buses and are funded from a capital line item already approved in the district budget (the administration said $650,000 was previously authorized for bus replacement and other capital needs). "It's part of that ongoing... we're refurbishing, we're replenishing the bus supply as we can," a staff member said during the meeting, and staff noted that the selected vehicles were available for near-term delivery because they are on vendor lots.
Board members asked how the purchases would be paid for in light of operating deficits; administration answered that the capital funds are restricted and cannot be returned to operations. Staff also confirmed the new buses will be equipped with radios and bus-patrol outfitting comparable to the current fleet and that delivery for in-stock units is expected within weeks rather than months.
Details recorded in the meeting minutes: the two MicroBird 30 buses were approved at a not-to-exceed price of $209,990 (Sourcewell contract 102115BBB); the 72-passenger bus at $121,600 (Sourcewell contract 063020BBB); two Ford F350 passenger vehicles awarded at $123,800; and the Ford T350 HD transit van at $54,720. Votes were recorded on the consent motions; most transportation motions passed with a single dissenting vote in the full board.
The board did not discuss converting the purchases to propane vehicles during the approvals; operations noted the purchases yielded savings compared with initial bids and that the district will continue to plan staggered replacements to avoid a major one-year capital spike.
