Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rutherford County Board of Education reinstates four bus contracts after insurance checks
Summary
The board voted Feb. 25 to reinstate four bus contracts (nos. 187, 195, 140 and 176) after staff confirmed insurance coverage; members pressed staff to tighten lease requirements to avoid repeating the problem.
Rutherford County Board of Education members voted on Feb. 25 to reinstate four bus contracts to keep buses in service while staff works to shore up insurance and leasing documentation.
An unidentified staff member asked the board to allow continued operation of buses 187, 195, 140 and 176 rather than taking the vehicles out of service. "My recommendation would be to move to approve," the staff member said. Speaker 2 moved to reinstate the contracts; Speaker 1 seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.
Board members pressed staff on how contractors had rectified earlier insurance lapses and whether the underlying lease structure that led to the problem had been fixed. "Is this a different structure, please? Help me with that. That is my greatest concern," said Speaker 5, who urged that four‑year contract applicants demonstrate long‑term capability and not rely on hastily arranged leases.
A staff speaker answered that the four contractors were "innocent victims" who had leased buses on behalf of "Mister Carter" and that coverage had been confirmed. "We have insurance in hand. Mister Reed and I have looked at it today. We believe it's all in place, and they are legal to continue operation," Speaker 6 said.
Staff said it was gathering lease forms from contractors and other businesses to create clearer, longer‑term lease requirements, including ensuring the correct names and vehicle identification numbers appear on policies. Members noted that two buses had been reinstated previously and that more contractors were expected to request reinstatement next week; staff said it might call a special meeting after the work session if needed.
Board members identified the affected service areas as La Verne and Smyrna and emphasized the need to keep buses operating for student transportation. There were no public comments at the meeting.
The board adjourned after the vote. Staff did not specify a formal deadline for implementing new lease requirements; the board directed staff to collect lease templates and report back.
