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Board approves bus contracts and vehicle purchases as staff flags rising fuel and service costs
Summary
Trustees approved multiple transportation contracts (Haines and M & T) and a vehicle purchase to replace aging district vehicles; contractors cited fuel and wage pressures and one board member voted no on the M & T contract.
The board approved several transportation‑related procurements and agreements at its July 16 meeting, while hearing contractor testimony about rising fuel and labor costs.
Staff requested board approval to buy four 2026 Chevrolet Suburbans and two 2026 Chevrolet Silverados for $380,149 plus taxes to replace vehicles that are as old as 15 years; the motion passed by roll call.
The board also approved the initial fleet service contract with Haines Buses for approximately $1,129,992.38 for the 2026–27 school year. Transportation staff noted contractors are seeking modest increases to cover fuel and driver wages; Haines’ proposal represented roughly a 3.5% increase from the prior year for that contractor.
Separately the board approved a $1,744,000.61 initial fleet contract with M and T Buses (about a 4.5% increase). A representative for M and T told the board fuel jumped in spring and that parts and labor pressures contributed. One trustee recorded a dissenting vote on the M and T contract (Missus Crumley voted no); the rest of the board voted yes.
Staff also presented consolidated MOUs with contractors to cover attrition, route acquisition, charter activity trips, emergency transportation services and air‑conditioning maintenance; those MOUs carried forward previous year rates and were approved. Board members and staff discussed contingency planning, fuel volatility and whether future RFPs could include electric or CNG alternatives, but staff cautioned that electric buses require expensive charging infrastructure and may not suit long rural routes.
All approved contracts and purchases will be implemented by the transportation/operations department and staff will report back on route optimization and contractor transition timelines.
