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Board reviews aging bus and vehicle fleet; trustees urge exploring financing to lock prices
Summary
Operations staff recommended the board consider replacing vehicles older than 12–13 years and explore financing to hedge inflation and tariffs; a quoted 42‑passenger special‑education bus cost was $183,784 and a maintenance truck replacement was quoted at about $60,694 (later negotiated to about $58,000).
Greendale — District operations staff told the school board June 2 that several fleet vehicles are reaching the end of their useful lives and asked for guidance on whether to pursue piecemeal replacement or secure coordinated financing.
The district reported 14 vehicles with an average age of 11 years and at least two maintenance trucks dating to 2000–2002. A maintenance truck replacement was quoted at $60,694 (staff reported negotiating a lower effective price of about $58,000), and a 42‑passenger special‑education bus was quoted at $183,784 with delivery about one year after ordering.
"It really comes down to two pathways," the operations presenter said: continue annual replacements as needs arise or pursue financing (including a state trust fund loan) to lock in prices and replace multiple units now. Board members raised safety concerns about very old trucks and asked staff to price out replacing vehicles older than 12–13 years; trustees also asked for at least three vendor quotes before committing.
Staff noted that some routes and special programs make outsourcing inconsistent and that operating an in‑district fleet allows more flexible mid‑day routing for early‑childhood and activity transportation. When vehicles are replaced, staff said older units would be auctioned through state surplus procedures and proceeds reinvested in district needs.
No purchases were approved at the June 2 meeting; trustees instructed staff to return with additional quotes, maintenance‑cost history, and financing scenarios for board consideration.
