Ypsi Schools' new buses on way

By Dan DuChene
Nov. 11, 2008    ·    12:36 a.m.

Ypsilanti Public Schools will be getting three new buses, a purchase that will cost the district $206,601.

The decision was reached unanimously by the district's board of education last night. The purchase of the 71-passenger buses will come out of the district's 2007 bond issue for major infrastructure and technology improvement.

The request for the purchase stated more than half of the YPS bus fleet is ten years old and have been driven more then 100,000 miles. This is the first bus purchase for the district since 2002.

Board President David Bates called the bus purchase "overdue."

Robert Harris, of the bargaining unit Ypsilanti Support Staff Association, thanked the board for the purchase.

"They are much needed," he said. "We appreciate that."

Board Trustee Sarah Devaney asked if if the district was only purchasing three buses because of financial restriction.

Superintendent James Hawkins said more buses will be purchased, but he didn't want all of the buses to need replacing at the same time in the future.

"We're sort of staggering them," Hawkins said. "We will purchase ten over the next three year period."

Kelli Glen, the district's acting financial officer, said the purchase does not include the cost of radios and other items required to operate a bus in the district.

Robert Harris, of the bargaining unit Ypsilanti Support Staff Association, thanked the board for the purchase.

"They are much needed," he said. "We appreciate that."

Board Trustee Edward Jackson was absent from the meeting due to a death in the family.