Movement toward implementation of ‘single bus runs’ in the Three Rivers school district in the upcoming school year continued during the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening (January 25th).

Superintendent Roger Rathburn reviewed the draft of a two-page document entitled “Single Bus Runs 2010-2011 – Frequently Asked Questions.”

Rathburn described the piece as a “question and answer document” to be sent home to parents and put out to the community.”

In discussing why the district is switching to single bus runs, the document says:

“There are two primary reasons:
1.    “Because of the current economy, the state has less money to fund local school districts.  This significant decline in state funding combined with rising costs is forcing all school districts to make deeper budget cuts.  This district could save several hundred thousand dollars by switching to single bus runs.
2.    “The district is trying to avoid some of the earliest pick-up times for secondary students in addition to some very late drop-off times for some elementary students.  Currently, some secondary students are picked up as early as 6:00 a.m. due to the high school’s 7:28 start time.  Conversely, some elementary students are dropped off as late at 5:00 p.m. due to their school’s 3:56 dismissal time.”

Regarding a question about the need to purchase additional buses, the answer is:  “YES.  The district will be purchasing three additional school buses.  However, even with this additional purchase, the district projects a saving of $200,000 to $250,000 per year.”

Several suggestions were made for changes in the draft document before it is finalized and distributed.

Transportation Director Jerry Butts and Steve Lucas, director of operations, discussed buses and 'single bus runs' during Monday's Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting.

Steve Lucas, director of operations, and Jerry Butts, transportation director, also provided information to the board regarding work toward implementation of the single bus runs approach to transporting students, plus information about the proposed purchase of three new buses from Capital City Bus Sales in Lansing.  The firm was the lowest of three bidders for purchase of the buses through the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Bus Purchase Program.

The unit price for each bus is $85,164 for a total cost of $255,492 if the option of taking possession of the buses after July 1st is utilized.  The motion to move forward with the purchase leaves open the possibility of acquiring the vehicles earlier if that is determined to be the best approach.

The board has indicated a consensus of support for pursuing a change from the current practice of ‘double bus runs’ to single runs.