School mechanic warns of an aging bus fleet; supervisors weigh buying two used buses and one new unit next year

Donald Brown, the school bus shop mechanic, told the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors at its May 7 special meeting that the school division has only one backup bus and is spending repeatedly on repairs for an aging fleet. “We have only one back up bus and we are continuously dumping money into repairs for the old buses because we have no other alternative,” Brown said.

Chairman James W. Brann and several supervisors discussed interim and longer-term responses. Brann said the county may need to purchase two used buses now to build backup capacity and then plan to buy one new bus next year. “I don’t want the school system to get in a situation where they can’t take the kids to school,” Brann said.

Supervisor Keith Harris recommended buying the same type of bus where possible so parts and diagnostic software are interchangeable. Brown cautioned that a new bus has about a one-year lead time: if ordered immediately, it would not be available until roughly this time next year. He added that vendor quotes typically hold for 30 days but are subject to change after that.

Assistant County Administrator Drew Basye clarified that $126,000 currently shown in the Capital Improvement Plan is earmarked for the NES playground and would need a Board reallocation to be used for buses. Superintendent Leslie confirmed she had pro-rated prices in the five-year replacement plan for inflation.

The board did not take a final vote on bus purchases at the meeting; members discussed options and deferred final action pending the upcoming public hearing on the CIP and further budget work.