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Board approves purchase of special-education buses and installation of portable AC units; permanent HVAC rollout planned
Summary
Ventura Unified approved contracts to purchase three new special-education buses and to pay installation costs for previously purchased portable air-conditioning units; staff said purchasing units was cheaper than repeated rentals and that permanent elementary HVAC installations are prioritized to finish by 2027.
The Ventura Unified School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 10 approved contracts exceeding $25,000 that included the purchase of three specialized special-education buses and the installation costs for portable air-conditioning units already bought by the district.
Chief Business Officer Dr. Mirza said the buses are new SPED vehicles that are available within six weeks and that buying them helps the district reduce reliance on contracted transportation.
On portable air-conditioning, staff said the district had been renting units for multiple years and that purchase plus installation proved more cost-effective. Facilities staff explained that portable units will be used as interim solutions while permanent HVAC systems are installed; Ryan (facilities) said the district's plan is to upgrade roughly four elementary campuses per year and to complete HVAC installations at all elementary schools by 2027, with priorities set according to contractor availability and coordination with summer programs.
Trustees asked staff for a memo explaining how portable AC placements are prioritized; staff agreed to provide that information.
The board voted to approve the contracts in a roll-call vote reported as 5-0.
