Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transition Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board backs staff to pursue purchase or lease of wheelchair-accessible activity buses for transition program
Summary
Facing about $100,000 a year in contracted transition-program transportation costs, East Windsor school leaders outlined vendor quotes and financing options for two wheelchair-accessible activity buses and asked board approval to develop firm lease/purchase terms to present at a later meeting.
District leaders told the East Windsor Board of Education they want to pursue owning or leasing wheelchair-accessible activity buses to support the transition program for students ages 18–22, arguing the change could reduce annual contracted transportation costs that are currently about $100,000.
Superintendent Patrick and staff explained the transition program provides pre-employment, community-based experiences for students eligible for special education services beyond the traditional high school cycle. Current contracted transportation supports the program but is rising in cost; staff suggested district-owned vehicles could increase scheduling flexibility and reduce expense.
Staff shared vendor pricing and financing estimates: a quoted base price for a wheelchair‑accessible activity bus was roughly $111,900, and lease estimates presented in board discussion were in the range of $18,200 per vehicle per year (finance alternatives near $24,000 per vehicle per year were also discussed). Patrick and Ryan noted lease proposals could include maintenance and that the district would need to follow town capital procedures if purchasing the vehicles.
Board members asked detailed operational questions about Connecticut rules distinguishing yellow school buses (door‑to‑door service; higher licensing) from white activity buses (cannot perform door‑to‑door pickups but can be used for community-based trips), insurance costs (estimated to be modest per vehicle) and available staff with required CDL endorsements. Ryan said the vendor lead time for custom wheelchair equipment can be roughly six months, creating urgency to finalize procurement planning.
Several board members favored pursuing the option because it could lower annual costs and give the district greater control over service and scheduling. No formal purchase motion was taken at the meeting; the board gave staff a consensus-level directive to return with a firm proposal that includes: precise lease vs. finance cost comparisons, total five- and ten-year cost projections, insurance and maintenance estimates, mileage caps or lease conditions, and details on where the funding would appear in the FY27 budget process.
Next steps: staff will refine vendor quotes, confirm insurance and mileage terms, and present a comprehensive procurement proposal and recommended financing at a subsequent meeting so the board can take a formal vote.
