Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance Committee backs $2.82 million capital recommendation to buy four buses and replace HVAC at two schools
Summary
The Finance Committee voted Sept. 9 to recommend a $2,815,185 capital adjustment to buy four replacement school buses and fund HVAC replacement projects at Bass‑Hoover Elementary and Dowell J. Howard Learning Center, forwarding the recommendation to the full School Board.
The Frederick County School Board Finance Committee on Sept. 9 voted to recommend a $2,815,185 capital adjustment that would use fiscal‑year‑25 unobligated operating funds to buy four replacement school buses and fund HVAC replacements at Bass‑Hoover Elementary School and Dowell J. Howard Learning Center.
The recommendation, moved and seconded during the committee meeting, passed by voice vote and will be forwarded to the full school board on Sept. 23; if the board approves it, the request will proceed to the county finance committee and the Board of Supervisors for appropriation.
Staff presented the capital asset plan and facility priorities, noting several active projects (Indian Hollow Elementary, James Wood High School, Jordan Springs expansion, Middletown expansion and the fourth high school). Mr. Davis, presenting on facility needs, said the Bass‑Hoover project originally sought about $3 million but was scaled back to $1.8 million after recent mechanical work, and that seven 55‑year‑old air‑handling units need replacement and humidity controls to address mildew and indoor‑air issues.
Transportation staff and Mr. Holland described the school bus fleet as aging and costly to maintain. Holland said older buses have structural and parts issues (rotten marine‑grade plywood floors, glued windows that cannot be modified, and decommissioned buses used for spare parts), and that repairing a single aged bus can approach or exceed the vehicle’s resale value. Committee members pressed for photos of deteriorated buses and for information on decommissioned vehicles and parts cannibalization.
Committee members debated whether to prioritize buying additional buses now or to preserve funds for future fleet growth tied to the district’s planned fourth high school. Staff said annual replacement of 11 buses is currently budgeted and that the system seeks to increase that replacement rate to 13 per year to avoid a growing backlog.
The committee’s recommendation specifies the three projects (purchase of four replacement buses, Bass‑Hoover HVAC replacement, and Dowell J. Howard HVAC replacement); committee members and staff emphasized that selection and procurement will follow required bid and appropriation processes before work begins.
