Rockford board approves purchase of seven buses with on-board cameras

The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved buying seven replacement buses and on-board video camera systems, part of a long‑running fleet replacement plan funded by the district's 2019 bond.

Transportation staff recommended purchasing seven buses at $150,765 each — a $1,055,355 subtotal — and AngelTrax camera equipment priced at $18,539 for that group of vehicles, with the purchases to be paid from 2019 bond proceeds. Assistant director of transportation Matt Hewitt told the board the district is continuing a 10‑year gradual replacement of the fleet and highlighted inspection improvements that come with newer vehicles.

“We drive them in and try to pre inspect them exactly like the inspector would,” Hewitt said, describing state inspection work and the importance of keeping vehicles up to safety standards. He also said older buses in the fleet include 2012 models with roughly 190,000 miles.

Staff said it was less expensive to procure the AngelTrax cameras separately under an existing contract and have district mechanics install them, rather than order cameras factory‑installed on new buses. “Rather than having them come loaded onto the bus, it was cheaper to use the award that was approved by the board in December and then our mechanics will install them just like they are with the previous bus purchase,” district staff explained.

Board members expressed appreciation for the transportation team’s work. The motion to approve staff recommendations carried by a voice/hand vote; the record shows the board voted in favor without roll‑call particulars recorded in the minutes.

Next steps: procurement will proceed using the contract pricing cited to the board, and the district expects mechanics to install the camera systems as part of the delivery process.