The John Glenn School Board reviewed the proposed purchase of two new school buses during their meeting Tuesday night.
Superintendent Christopher Winchell said the purchase of a new 78-passenger bus and 66-passenger bus from Midwest Transit Equipment follows the bus replacement plan. However, the handicapped-accessible bus is a little bigger than previously thought and about $300 more on the final cost.
Transportation Director Marie Fansler said there are more students who utilize wheelchairs and there is not enough space on the handicapped-accessible buses in service. She was able to find a larger bus with seats that can easily be removed to accommodate more students in wheelchairs at the additional cost. Fansler commented that she is planning for the future growth of the corporation and this will be safer for the students who ride the bus. The new bus will also have a back-up camera so bus drivers can safely back up into driveways.
This will be the third bus that has a wheelchair lift that will be available on the fleet.
She also gave high praise for the gasoline engine buses which produce less maintenance hassles than diesel-powered engines.
The newer buses will replace two older buses on the fleet that are over 14 years old. The school board approved the two buses at a cost of $220,384 with trade-in cost of $2,500 for each bus.
