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Board approves purchase of 10 buses totaling $1.66 million as district seeks drivers
Summary
Madison County Schools approved buying 10 buses (mixed fleet including two wheelchair-equipped special needs buses) for $1,656,830; transportation staff said the district runs roughly 162 routes, transports about 9,000 students twice daily and currently has 10 driver openings.
The Madison County Board of Education approved the purchase of 10 school buses on Oct. 17, authorizing a package that includes two special-needs buses with wheelchair lifts, four 72-passenger conventional buses and four 84-passenger rear-engine buses.
Transportation director-level staff (Chuck Cash) and Pat Hoskins explained the requested fleet purchase reflects a routine rotation and specific routing needs; they said the total in the agenda materials was $1,656,830. Cash and Hoskins noted a year-over-year increase in the package of roughly $32,000, citing higher vehicle costs. Mr. Rutherford moved to approve the purchase; Miss Cobb seconded and the board voted 'Aye' to carry the motion.
Staff described staffing pressures in the transportation department: the district is operating approximately 162 routes with 130–135 active drivers and about 10 open driver positions. Cash said the department supplements drivers with mechanics, front-office staff and occasional help from teachers or other employees when routes are tight. He emphasized that, despite openings and occasional delays, the district had not canceled regular AM/PM routes in his tenure.
The package presented included standard features requested historically for Madison County (tinted windows and specified configurations) and a mix of vehicles to support general routes and special-education transportation. Board members expressed appreciation for staff maintenance practices and for keeping buses serviceable beyond typical depreciation schedules when needed.
The motion to approve the purchase was made by Mr. Rutherford and seconded by Miss Cobb; the vote carried with recorded 'Aye' votes and no recorded opposition.
