Culver board approves purchase of two 72‑passenger school buses

The Culver Community Schools board voted unanimously to buy two 72‑passenger school buses, after staff reported the larger model costs about the same as the 66‑seat option and could reduce the number of routes while keeping individual ride times within district limits.

Paul, who described the district’s bus replacement plan and procurement quotes from Bluebird, Collins and Thomas, said the 72‑passenger option was “$11 cheaper per bus to purchase a 72 passenger versus a 66.” He told the board the district plans to replace roughly two to three buses per year and does not expect the change in capacity to alter the replacement rotation in the near term.

According to the figures discussed at the meeting, a 66‑passenger bus quote was shown at approximately $153,000 per bus; quoted prices for the larger 72‑passenger models in the presentation were in the $153,165–$153,176 range. Staff warned the board that to secure those quotes a purchase order would need to be submitted to the vendor by the end of March, otherwise prices would rise.

Board members discussed operational impacts, including student ride times and driver licensing. Staff said the larger capacity adds about six seats without changing chassis, maintenance, maneuverability or CDL licensing requirements. A board member also noted a bus driver consulted by staff recommended the 72‑passenger model.

The board passed the motion to purchase the two buses by unanimous voice vote (reported 5‑0). Next steps identified by staff were issuing the purchase order promptly to lock in price and coordinating delivery schedules with the transportation department.

The district said any longer‑term adjustments to route rotation would be evaluated as more 72‑passenger vehicles enter the fleet, but no immediate rotation change was planned.