Jefferson Elementary board approves three vans for special-education transport, staff say savings will follow

The Jefferson Elementary School District governing board voted April 23 to buy three used vans to move some special‑education transportation in‑house, the district said.

The administration recommended the purchase from Hengehold Truck Sales for a total listed as 131,397.3, to be funded from routine restricted funds. "By taking a couple of the routes in‑house, in the first year we'll have savings of approximately $150,000 and then in the second year we're projected about $280,000 ongoing savings," said Miss Peterson, who described the district's savings estimate and the purchase rationale.

Board members voiced support for the approach as a way to steward district resources and reduce contracted transportation costs. The board approved the motion after discussion and a second.

The administration said the vans will be operated by the maintenance department to provide in‑house transportation for students requiring special‑education transportation services. The board did not specify a timetable for the vehicles entering service or detail associated operating costs in the meeting record.

What the board approved: a motion to purchase three used vans for special‑education transportation from Hengehold Truck Sales for a total amount listed in the staff report as 131,397.3, funded from routine restricted funds; the motion passed.

Next steps: staff were expected to complete procurement and implement routing changes as described by administration; no additional vote was recorded on implementation details during the meeting.