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School board approves buses, safety upgrades and Coquillard furniture in series of votes
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Summary
Trustees approved a package of facilities and operational purchases — eight buses ($1,323,419), boiler-room shutdown switches and HVAC alarm upgrades ($302,250), emergency bleacher services ($71,676), intra-fund transfers ($6,116.36), a common-school loan application, and a $410,551.86 furniture upgrade at Coquillard — all motions passed by recorded roll calls.
At its March meeting, the South Bend Community School Corporation Board of Trustees approved a set of operational and capital items including a vehicle purchase, safety upgrades, and school furniture replacements.
The board ratified a special purchase of eight International buses from Midwest Transit Equipment for $1,323,419. Facilities staff explained the district canceled an earlier order to obtain a set of buses available sooner from MTE; the board asked whether the fleet will remain diesel and staff confirmed the buses will be diesel. "We're sticking with diesel," a facilities representative said during discussion. Trustees also recalled earlier electric-bus pilots; staff said grant funding had offset costs for two electric buses in 2023 and noted charging‑station reliability remains a concern.
The board then approved an emergency purchase with Precision Control Systems for emergency boiler-room shutdown switches and an HVAC alarm upgrade ($302,250). A facilities representative described exterior 'kill switches' that allow first responders to cut power and fuel without entering boiler rooms and said the upgrades connect to the district's digital alerting system.
The board ratified an emergency service agreement with BR Bleachers ($71,676) to inspect and certify athletic overhead equipment. Finance staff explained a transfer of gift funds ($6,116.36) to support professional development for McKinley SNAP administrators, noting state board-of-accounts policy requires board approval for index transfers. Trustees also voted to apply for an IDOE common-school loan (1% interest) to support the district technology plan and one-to-one device initiative.
On a separate item, administration asked the board to approve a special purchase of furniture and equipment upgrades for Coquillard Primary Center from Sharp School Services for $410,551.86. Facilities and school representatives described long-standing deferred maintenance at Coquillard and outlined priorities for the library, classrooms, cafeteria and professional learning spaces. "These updates will allow us to better support modern teaching practices, student engagement, and a sense of pride in our school community," a Coquillard representative said. Trustees approved the purchase by roll call.
Votes were recorded on the public record; motions were moved and seconded on the floor and passed by roll-call tallies as announced by the chair.
