School board approves purchase of six activity buses to support career counseling programs

At the meeting Sheldon Taylor, supervisor of purchasing, recommended awarding a Sourcewell cooperative contract to American Bus Sales of Annapolis for six 2026 Thomas Minotaur 14‑passenger buses at a total cost of $539,388, to be funded from the workforce development budget carryover. Taylor said the buses support the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future required career‑counseling program.

Carrie Akins, director of Career and Technical Education and principal at the Calvert Career and Technology Academy, described program uses and said the buses will enable short daytime trips and small group transport for career activities. Taylor and Akins told the board the buses are white activity buses and are not the yellow buses used for home‑to‑school transportation; Taylor said no commercial CDL is required to drive the Minotaur vehicles and drivers must complete an internal course before operating the vehicles.

Board members discussed the funding source (workforce development carryover from FY26), eligibility and driver training and asked whether the buses could be used by outside contractors; staff said the buses will be prioritized for career‑counseling activities and that a hierarchy will govern additional uses. A motion to approve was made by a board member (speaker 4), seconded by (speaker 6), and the motion passed 4–0.

What happens next: staff said the buses will be available once board approval is processed and the vendor readies delivery.