Freeman School Board approves vehicle insurance settlements and orders 14‑passenger van

The Freeman School Board voted Tuesday to accept a total‑loss insurance settlement for the district’s 2004 GMC Yukon and approved purchasing a new 14‑passenger transit‑style van under a piggyback bid from another district.

Chair opened the fleet discussion, and staff reviewed multiple vehicles damaged by hail and other incidents, distinguishing which units were repairable and which were being declared total losses. Business manager summarized settlements already paid for repairable vehicles (checks of $8,300; $9,300; $4,700) and noted other payouts (e.g., $6,400) for vehicles the district planned to keep or retire. The board debated whether higher‑mileage vehicles should be kept for short, in‑town runs and drivers‑education use.

After questions about mileage and usability, the board voted to approve the total‑loss settlement for the 2004 GMC Yukon. Chair moved the motion and, after a second, announced the motion carried by voice vote.

Separately, staff presented a proposal to purchase a new 14‑passenger van that would provide more storage room for instruments and athletic equipment than existing Yukons and Impalas. The van would be acquired through an existing bid the district could piggyback on; staff said the offer was time‑limited and that units were moving quickly across dealers. The board approved the van purchase by voice vote.

The board also agreed to remove a separate agenda item to replace a 2010 Chevy Impala after members expressed a preference to retain that vehicle for occasional Colony trips and similar short runs.

What happens next: staff will proceed with the insurance settlement paperwork for the Yukon and finalize the piggyback purchase for the 14‑passenger van, and vehicle replacements will be reflected in capital and transportation planning.