Cheshire outlines hybrid transportation plan, keeps one specialized van purchase in budget
Summary
District will maintain a hybrid model (DATCO contracted routes and an in-house fleet); it cut one specialized $95,000 van from the operating ask and plans to seek a $56,000 SEED grant for a community program van; DATCO contract projected to rise about 4%.
Cheshire officials said the district's transportation model mixes contracted services (DATCO) and in-house fleet runs. Taylor said the district is budgeting about $2.8 million for general-education DATCO services (a roughly 4% increase) and about $1.586 million for special-education transportation, which includes costly outplacement trips.
The administration requested two specialized fleet vans at roughly $95,000 each for replacements but kept one in the operating ask and removed one before presenting the budget. Taylor said a community-life program van (about $56,000) is being pursued through a SEED special-education grant and, if awarded, would not come from the operating budget.
Board members asked about fleet size, route configurations tied to redistricting and the potential for electric buses; Taylor said the district has discussed electric options with DATCO and reviewed Branford's mostly-electric fleet as an example, noting contractual and depot-charging implications would need to be addressed.
Officials also noted the district manages hundreds of fleet miles per day for vans that cover runs, field trips and early-dismissal schedules and that vehicle replacement is driven by mileage, repairs and accessibility needs for students.
