Blue Jay buses used to transport students to out of town activities and events are often

broken down.  The Board of Education is now discussing the problem.

Board member Brian Field said it’s a safety issue for the kids. “Can’t have our buses breaking down with students on them on the highway.  That’s just not something that’s acceptable. ” Field added the two buses are only available approximately 30-50 percent of the time.

“We spent over $100,000 maintaining these buses the last three years. So we really need to look at  some different options, whether that be purchasing new buses, contracting with a company…having buses provided for us that way, or chartering buses which we are currently doing. ”

One bus purchased in 2008 has been down for repairs 323 days out of the past 457 days. It has just over 90,000 miles on it when those buses are expected to run many more miles. An older bus purchased in 2002 has been down 234 days out of the last 457 days. It has 221,000 miles on it.

The Director of Business Operations, Bill Clark, explained the staff will research costs and options. “Cost as it pertains to if we buy buses. the cost of the bus, maintenance, fuel, peronnel insurance and then compare that to if we charter buses with a different company. Which one is more efficient, more effective.”  Once the research is completed the information could be brought back to the Board of Education.