Geneva board hears preliminary transportation budget projecting $4.48 million in revenue and plans for propane buses

Director of Transportation Matt Johnson presented the Geneva CUSD 304 preliminary transportation budget at the board meeting and answered board questions about fleet strategy and maintenance costs.

Johnson said the district anticipates staffing needs for the 2026–27 school year that include mechanics, office staff, 68 bus drivers and 8 bus monitors. The proposed fleet mix included 23 72‑passenger propane buses, 22 72‑passenger diesel buses, 19 30‑passenger buses, five 27‑passenger buses, nine wheelchair‑lift buses and four activity buses. Capital purchases tied to the fleet plan were estimated at about $1,010,500.

He listed revenue sources: local receipts of about $2,928,145 and state revenue of roughly $1,000,506 for a projected total of $4,484,245. Projected salary costs for transportation staff were about $2,925,090 with benefits near $76,868, for a transportation personnel total of roughly $3,001,958. Supplies and materials were projected near $395,000. Johnson noted a $20,000 rebate received from an Illinois propane incentive program related to recent propane‑bus purchases.

Board members pressed on maintenance risks: Johnson said the district has not needed to replace an engine since his tenure but has had two complete transmission failures with repair costs between about $8,000 and $12,000 depending on bus size. He added that most propane buses carry five‑year warranties and that the district expects propane engines will resemble gasoline engines in maintenance profile and reduce some diesel‑specific repair costs.

Johnson and staff said next steps include finalizing salaries and benefits, confirming fund balances and completing the purchase/sale plan for buses. The presentation was informational; no final purchase authorization was taken at the meeting.

Direct quotes and figures were taken from Johnson’s presentation and the board’s Q&A.