MONROE - With a minibus that is no longer serviceable, the school district is looking for a replacement.
According to Ron Olson, the district's business manager, the bus needs to go out of commission soon, but there's not enough interest or money to buy a new one.
Instead, he'll be looking to buy a used bus this summer that can fit upwards of 20 passengers but that isn't "too big," or to make an agreement with Lamers to use one of theirs. Lamers provides regular bus transportation for the district.
The minibus was used "in spurts," Olson said, mostly for cross country or small trips, such as a physical education class going to a bowling alley. If an instructor had a commercial driver license (CDL) and a small enough group of kids, the teacher could take the minibus rather than have to pay a Lamers bus charge.
But Olson said he's not sure if a replacement minibus would continue to be used, especially if certain teachers leave the district or retire.
"Our staff changes," Olson said. "Right now, we have CDL drivers who are able to drive the minibus. But if a person coming in doesn't have a CDL, obviously we can't do that, and then the bus wouldn't get used much."
If the district goes the route of an agreement to use a Lamers bus, rather than buying, drivers would need to have air brake certifications to use it.
But with upkeep charges that come with district-owned vehicles, Olson said it can be nice to have professionals like Lamers doing the maintenance.
- Susan Endres
According to Ron Olson, the district's business manager, the bus needs to go out of commission soon, but there's not enough interest or money to buy a new one.
Instead, he'll be looking to buy a used bus this summer that can fit upwards of 20 passengers but that isn't "too big," or to make an agreement with Lamers to use one of theirs. Lamers provides regular bus transportation for the district.
The minibus was used "in spurts," Olson said, mostly for cross country or small trips, such as a physical education class going to a bowling alley. If an instructor had a commercial driver license (CDL) and a small enough group of kids, the teacher could take the minibus rather than have to pay a Lamers bus charge.
But Olson said he's not sure if a replacement minibus would continue to be used, especially if certain teachers leave the district or retire.
"Our staff changes," Olson said. "Right now, we have CDL drivers who are able to drive the minibus. But if a person coming in doesn't have a CDL, obviously we can't do that, and then the bus wouldn't get used much."
If the district goes the route of an agreement to use a Lamers bus, rather than buying, drivers would need to have air brake certifications to use it.
But with upkeep charges that come with district-owned vehicles, Olson said it can be nice to have professionals like Lamers doing the maintenance.
- Susan Endres