Board approves purchase of new tow truck after staff warns 1993 vehicle can't safely tow modern buses

The Hoke County Board of Education approved a recommendation June 9 to pursue a replacement tow truck (wrecker) after transportation staff outlined safety and operational concerns with the district’s existing 1993 single‑axle unit.

Transportation staff described repeated tows, long response times and structural limits for the older vehicle when used to haul modern school buses, which the presenter said can weigh 36,000–42,000 pounds. Staff said the current wrecker must lift buses from the rear, which creates control and detachment risks and reduces braking capability. "This record does not currently meet standards to tow our current school buses," the presenter said, describing how the front of the tow truck can be lifted off the ground when towing large buses with the older unit.

Staff recommended purchasing a 2027 International tandem‑axle wrecker with a boom that tows from the front and meets the district’s needs; the unit would also be available for maintenance and child‑nutrition vehicles. The total vehicle cost discussed was approximately $301,710; the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) offered to cover about half. The district’s local share was stated as $150,855.15; staff said that amount would come from reserve fund 8 rather than the transportation operating fund (056).

Board members moved the item to the action agenda and later approved the purchase. No roll‑call vote by name was recorded in the transcript; the board recorded the motion, a second and a voice vote.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement under the board’s approval and coordinate funding from the identified local reserve fund.