Board approves bidding surplus buses amid driver shortages and policy questions

The board approved putting surplus buses out to bid and later approved the proposed bus routes. Transportation staff told trustees the district has lost drivers over the summer, forcing discontinuation of some routes and creating potential cancellations during the first week of school if vacancies remain.

Board members asked staff to confirm whether prior sales to staff complied with state surplus-property rules; staff said they would look into the policy. Regarding routes and operations, transportation staff described recruitment challenges and noted that other districts used higher pay or family health benefits to attract drivers. The board also approved defined safety-busing areas (mile/0.5-mile boundaries) to allow busing for students meeting safety criteria.