The Petal School District will soon add two new school buses to its fleet.
During last week’s meeting of the Petal School District Board of Directors, board members approved the purchase of the two vehicles at a cost of between $85,000 and $86,000 per bus.
“We try to purchase two buses per year,” superintendent Matt Dillon said. “We run double routes, so when you run double routes, you put more miles on your bus.
“And then of course, we have an older fleet as well, so we cycle those older fleets out to send to bid, to recruit some money. And we just want to make sure we have safe buses on the road.”
The buses, which are being purchased from Thomas Built Buses and International Buses, will serve two purposes: one bus will run regular routes, while the other will serve students with special needs.
“Both companies have a good product, but one was just better for the students with special services,” said Andy Schoggin, chief financial officer and assistant superintendent for the school district.
With the addition of the two new vehicles, the school district’s fleet will maintain 42 buses, as the new buses will update some of the district’s older models.
The school board also approved certain school bus turnarounds at various locations in the district.
“So if (a bus) goes down a road where they don’t have a way of egress without backing up, we don’t typically back into another driveway unless it’s approved and we know where it is,” Schoggin said. “So we just approved that so we know where we are and what property we’re on.”
Also at last week’s meeting, board members:
• Approved departmental handbooks for the 2018-19 school year for athletics students, athletics coaches, child nutrition, transportation, substitute teachers and school police.
• Approved resignations, extra work contracts, out-of-district student enrollment, out-of-district student transfer and substitute teacher recommendations.
