Board votes to reinstate Cantwell/Campbell school bus service despite added cost

The board moved to reinstate school transportation service for the Cantwell/Campbell site for the 2024–25 school year and approved the motion on a roll-call vote.

Superintendent Dan Pulte told members the district had suspended some small-site routes in prior budget years to reduce operating costs. Restoring service, he said, will increase the district's projected deficit by roughly $40,000 for the coming year but could yield benefits in attendance and enrollment stability for a site that has been small in past counts.

"It seemed wise to say, let's return that service," Pulte said, noting Campbell's current enrollment of 13 students and the operational trade-offs involved. Board members discussed logistical questions — booster-seat needs for preschool children, driver and vehicle management, and route geography along the Parks Highway — and asked administration to explore cost-efficient options for future years.

Board members emphasized safety: the district's bus fleet is designed for weather and emergency conditions and staff flagged trade-offs if the district considered substituting smaller vehicles instead of buses.

The motion passed unanimously on roll call (Peyton — yes; Lauren — yes; Jenna — yes; Forrest — yes; Kristen — yes; Katie — yes; Dawn — yes). Administration recorded the expected near-term budget impact and will incorporate the change into ongoing FY25 budget work.

Next steps: district staff will finalize routing and equipment/booster-seat arrangements and reflect the expense in updated budget documents.