Vicksburg transportation report: safety carnival, fleet upgrades and rising fuel use

The Vicksburg Board of Education heard the transportation annual report, which emphasized safety training, fleet maintenance and rising fuel use as the district wraps up the school year.

Transportation lead Karen walked trustees through safety exercises used to train drivers (student loading, mirror adjustments, evacuation drills), the fifth annual safety carnival for families, and a bus-rodeo competition where Vicksburg drivers placed among the top performers and two drivers will advance to a state competition on June 13.

Karen highlighted fleet improvements: the district converted an older box truck into a low‑cost salt truck and purchased a new van to support smaller athletic or activity trips. She said mechanics keep the fleet safe and operational and described the district's emphasis on driver training.

On fuel use, Karen said that as of April 30 the district had pumped about 46,823 gallons into school buses and 1,499 gallons into vans, and projected about 54,500 total gallons by June — roughly 2,000 gallons more than the prior year. When the district covers additional athletic and field-trip mileage, total miles and gallons naturally increase.

Board members and Karen discussed state transportation aid; Karen and a trustee said the district received about $300,000 in dedicated transportation aid this year, which helps but does not cover the full cost of buses (which she noted often exceed $100,000 each) and fuel. Karen said the transportation department was planning for a new transportation building and continuing driver training programs this summer.

What happens next: the transportation department will continue safety training and prepare for summer schedules; staff will return with any requests tied to facilities or capital needs for board consideration.