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Tahlequah board hears about new 14-passenger shuttle and bond-funded capital plans

Tahlequah Public Schools Board · December 17, 2025

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Summary

District officials said a 14-seat mini shuttle bus was purchased to replace older vans and another will be bought with bond funds; the superintendent updated the board on armory renovation, furniture requisitions and a $125,000 transportation allocation from the bond.

Tahlequah Public Schools officials told the board on Dec. 16 that the district is renewing its transportation fleet with smaller shuttle buses and preparing bond-funded capital projects.

Paul, introduced during the principal director’s report, described a 14-passenger mini shuttle the district purchased to replace older vans. Paul said the vehicle ‘‘only seats 14 students, which we have been using, vans only seat belts, and it's kind of restricted... Because it's 14 passenger 1 driver, it's 50 and under, so it doesn't require a CDL,’’ and that the district has one now and plans to buy another with bond proceeds. He estimated the purchase price at about $100,000 to $115,000.

The superintendent updated the board on bond-funded projects including the armory renovation (painting, ceiling and upcoming flooring), furniture requisitions and a $125,000 transportation allocation in the first bond installment. Administrators said they are preparing bids and design meetings with school staff, with a timeline that could lead to project bids around March–April and some special board action in February for lease revenue bonds.

Officials emphasized safety and driver comfort improvements: newer route buses will have front air for drivers and upgraded safety equipment. The district said the new shuttle capacities will allow more student groups to travel without requiring a commercial driver license, which administrators described as increasing flexibility for activities such as choir, athletics and robotics.

No formal action was required for the fleet updates during the report; bond project planning will return to the board with further details and potential vote items.