Board approves purchase of 8-passenger wheelchair-accessible van under state bid

The Liberty School Board voted to purchase an 8-passenger wheelchair-accessible van using a state bid that, trustees said, allows the district to depreciate the vehicle under new guidance.

During discussion the superintendent described the purchase as the districts strategy to replace or supplement existing wheelchair transport: “This is instead of buying another bus with a wheelchair access, we'll be buying this van instead with this wheelchair access,” the superintendent said. Trustees noted the state bid opens Sept. 1, which will allow districts to begin depreciation, but cautioned that production timelines could delay delivery.

A trustee moved to approve the purchase and the motion passed by voice vote. Board members said the van will expand the districts ability to transport students who need wheelchair access without requiring drivers to hold a commercial drivers license.

Why it matters: the purchase addresses a transportation need for students requiring wheelchair access and may reduce operational barriers to transporting those students, but the district should plan for a possible multi-year delivery timeline.