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Transportation director warns of bus‑delivery delays; district explains leasing and reimbursement process
Summary
Transportation Director Bimbo told trustees crossing-guard and bus-aid positions are filled and maintenance backlog is reduced, but bus deliveries remain delayed (one bus ordered in April still undelivered); staff explained the district leases buses and lease payments are reimbursable the following year.
The Hot Springs County School District transportation director, identified in the meeting as Bimbo (Speaker 5), said staffing is mostly filled and maintenance backlogs have been reduced, but bus procurement delays tied to manufacturer backlogs continue to cause headaches.
"The last bus that I ordered was back in April. It was only supposed to take 4 to 6 months to get here. It is still not here," Bimbo said, describing a C‑class conventional bus ordered in April and noting D‑class buses can face lead times up to 18 months.
District staff explained the common financing approach. A staff member (Speaker 2) said, "The deal with the lease is that it's fully reimbursable. Every lease payment I make each year comes back to us the very next year," describing a five‑year lease structure that smooths payments and is reimbursed in the following fiscal year.
Bimbo also described operational impacts from emissions-control systems on newer diesel engines, including frequent DEF regeneration on slow local routes, and said the district plans to use gas engines for in‑town routes and diesel for out‑of‑town activities to balance mechanical reliability and emissions requirements.
Board members thanked transportation staff for filling crossing‑guard roles and acknowledged continuing supply-chain delays. Administrators asked trustees to be mindful that purchase timing could complicate paperwork and lease timing if deliveries fall into the next fiscal year.
