BOE Buys New Bus

During the recent Stephens County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Bryan Dorsey presented to the board a request to purchase a 2019 Integrated CE S Bus.

Dorsey explained to the board that the current fleet of buses will soon have several buses becoming over 20-years-old.

“We have several buses that are 20-years-old or older, and several others that are 15-years-old and will soon be 20-years-old. In order to keep our fleet of buses 20-years and younger we need to start buying and replacing at least three buses per year. Since I came here four years ago we have already replace 10 buses,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey advised the board members to plan accordingly for the forthcoming budget hearings, suggesting that the board should begin replacing three or four of the oldest buses in the fleet with new ones each year.

Currently Stephens County Schools run over 70 buses.

A concern addressed during the meeting was funding, which Dorsey explained that the expense would be paid for out of the general fund’s transportation side; thus, staying in budget.

The net sales price for the new bus is $79,237.

A motion was made by Board Member Mark Smith with a second coming from Board Member Len Stovall.

The motion passed 6-0 with Board Member David Fricks being absent.

In other business, the board approved a request for bids from Director of School Nutrition Kim Caudell for a new serving line at Big A Elementary.

An advertised request for bids was then issued and will run until May 8, which is the deadline for submitted bids.

The ideal equipment would have both hot and cold units, and a cashier stand.