Yes on buses

Five activity buses expected by March

Weston County School District No. 1 has received state approval to purchase five new buses, with delivery expected by March, as the district moves from leasing vehicles to owning them under Wyoming’s new transportation funding model.

Business manager Jennifer Dixon announced at the Oct. 14 school board meeting that the Wyoming Department of Education had approved the purchase and maintenance director Adam Ertman had proceeded with the order.

“Everything’s moving very fast with transportation,” Dixon said.

The approval follows the district’s September proposal to pay
off $410,562.43 in existing bus leases and purchase five activity buses for an estimated $1 million to $1.2 million.

The board did not discuss purchase or reimbursement amounts at its Oct. 14 meeting, but Superintendent Brad LaCroix told the News Letter Journal on Oct. 19 that he believes the estimated and real costs will be similar.

“There’s always a little bit of wiggle room, both ups and down, by the time everything is signed and dated, but I think everything is going to be pretty close,” he said.

LaCroix previously said, and confirmed Oct. 19, that the district expects state reimbursement for the lease payoff and five bus purchases within about 90 days of acquiring the vehicles. The district planned to cover the purchases with general fund money in the meantime.

The district prioritized activity buses because they make the longest trips, including mountain travel, and officials want to secure larger diesel engines while available, according to LaCroix.