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Board hears transportation update: old buses disposed as grant closes; new tablet routing for substitutes introduced
Summary
District staff reported the DD Electrics school bus grant is closing and that two pre‑2011 buses required for disposal have been destroyed per grant requirements. The district also purchased three in‑bus tablets with mounts to provide stop-by-stop GPS routing for substitute drivers.
Board members received an update from transportation staff about a recently closed electric‑bus grant and broader fleet management.
Staff said the DD Electrics school bus grant is being closed out and that two older buses (older than 2011) required by grant terms to be disposed of have been scrapped; staff noted interest from county emergency responders to use vehicles for training before final disposal. The board also reported the district took delivery of a new diesel bus and that the fleet now includes approximately 21 buses with a mix of Thomas and older International models.
To help substitute drivers, the district purchased three tablets and mounts that attach to buses and provide stop‑by‑stop GPS routing. Staff said the tablets are intended to reduce driver stress and improve route accuracy, and could support recruitment of substitute drivers who might otherwise be reluctant to drive unfamiliar routes.
The board discussed bus life expectancy (staff said typical life is about 10 years, with Thomas buses on Cummins engines sometimes lasting longer) and continuing maintenance and replacement needs. No new transportation contracts were approved at the meeting; staff will continue to monitor fleet needs and routing effectiveness.
