001Welcome to the special called meeting March the 12th 2026 for the Rutherford County School Board. We will be opening the meeting with a brief moment of silence or prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. No one is required to participate or be present for any of these and being in this portion of the meeting is completely voluntary. Today's prayer and pledge will be led by Miss Francis Rosales. Thank you, Madame Chair. Um, bow your heads, please, with me. Lord, Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for allowing us to be here during this time. God, I just ask that at this moment that you give each and every one of us wisdom and discernment as we get ready to make decisions on behalf of our students, our families, and
002our staff. God, I also pray that when we leave here, give us traveling mercies to and fro. And I also pray for anyone whether they're watching or or here that any prayer that they may have Lord I pray that you will answer their needs accordingly because you are the God that makes the impossible be possible. We love you. We praise you and give you the glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> I'm sorry. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> First up, we have the approval of the agenda. Has everyone looked it over? Do we have any questions or comments? >> Second. Bond. Thank you, Mr. Tidville. All in
003favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed. Motion passes. There are no public comments. We'll move to number five, transportation. >> Um so for the board, just because this is a special called, so the only things we can take up are the items that are on um special called agenda. I emailed the board yesterday. So just for everyone watching, I'll give an update. So the board at our last meeting last Thursday asked to give an update on what buses were available from our two vendors. And so this was and then to provide a recommendation and so that's what uh today is. But before I start again this recommendation is very similar to last year. So for our contractors again I've I've said it multiple times that I was born and raised here. I believe in
004the contractor model was benefited from the contractor model um from the contractors that I was transported with and this is to cover some of our routes to start a hybrid model but in no way shape or form I do not want to run an entire huge transportation department uh in any way shape or form. So I wanted to state that first. So here's an update of what our purchasing department was able to find out. So, new buses. Um, and this is what I emailed to the board yesterday. So, I'm just reading what I emailed to the board yesterday for everyone else. So, Central States, their 90 passenger bus, they had three available in May at $176,452 with no AC. They had new 90 passenger base models at 159,766 that could be available for the beginning
005of the year if we ordered in 2 to 3 weeks. These were the base model, no AC and no what they called contractor options. Midsouth had 90 passenger buses or sorry for a 90 passenger bus. No new buses available currently. If we needed delivery for February of 2027, that order must be placed by 31526 due to changes in the EPA standards. And that is at 185,000 with no AC. And so that is where we are with new 90 passenger buses from what was with our purchasing department on source well state bid. So other people may get different prices but that's what source well with our state bid. So then we will go to used buses. Central states did not have any 90 passenger buses that they had informed us about. Midsouth had 11 available on
006March 3rd. They had six available yesterday morning and by the time I had Joanne try to uh Robashaw who was our purchasing agent try to nail down four of those. Two of the ones that I had wanted were going to recommend were gone. So the only four they had left are the four that I'm recommending today. And so I'm going to recommend that we purchase all four of those. All four of these buses have some of the original three-year 50,000 milei body and chassis warrant chassis warranty based on the entry date of service. And I have that listed. Um well, I have the mileage listed, but I'll read it to everyone. Additionally, they have an engine warranty of 5 years, 100,000 warranty, and transmission warranty of 5 years uh with unlimited mileage. And they are
007listed under right here. The request to purchase nine available buses below is presented for a total of $1,377,500. And so these are the first four I'm going to read. A 2025 Thomas EFX and you have the VIN number 22,911 mi at 165,000. That one does have AC. 2025 Thomas with the VIN number 3,71 miles. That one does not have AC. its entry date was 10125. The one before it was 91524. So, sorry, the one before its entry date was 91524. This one was 10125. The 2026 Thomas with the VIN number listed is 8,416 miles. It's 190,000 with air conditioning uh October October August 1st, 2025. And then 2026 Thomas with 8,818 miles with AC at 190,000 with a entry date of 8125. So those were the 490 passenger buses. >> Yes. Yep. >> So only
008one did not have >> correct. the new special education buses. Central states had a type A 24 plus1 would need to be ordered within 2 to 3 weeks to be available for the start of the school year in August. Those are $128,432. They had a type C 33+1 would need to be ordered within 2 to 3 weeks to be available for the start of school in August. Those are 155,146. Midsouth has right now or can get us in the next two to three weeks next month. 24 + one with extra wheelchair positions for future use, which is standard. 137,000 if we purchase more than four or 139,000 if we purchase less than four. Um so my recommendation is we purchase four of these. They're the 24 plus one through Midsouth. And then Central States has
009a used special education bus which is a 2025 42 passenger bus with wheelchair accessible and and all of the um requirements listed at 114,500 and you all have a picture of that one and it has 3,300 miles on it. So those are my recommendations. four used 90 passenger buses, four new 24 plus one, and then one used special education um bus from central states. I'd like to I'd like to make a motion and go I approve the director's uh recommendation but I I'd like to raise it to five special ed well right now he's requesting more than five so not of this bed but of the other So what's your motion >> to go five and five by all these he was talking about that the five speed and five roy buses that we purchase.
010>> Mel. >> Yes, Mr. Tidwell. >> So if I'm looking at this right, he got as far as 90 passenger buses, he's got four that he's recommending um that are used that could be brought on rather quickly. As far as that fifth new one, my understanding that would be February of 2027. >> We just looking at this real quick. Mids south. Yes. Um we could get one from central states. He's going to have one of them, three available in May if they're still available. I would have to check. Um he's going to have three available in May with no AC at 176,000. So we've used for five and five if you >> added that four four used >> four four new sped >> and then one more used that's sped as well the 42 passenger
011would that be >> special education. >> Yeah sped. >> Yeah. >> So you got five sp your recommendations for >> five >> which that that would make sense. I'd be perfectly >> okay. Now that >> we put extra um funding, you'll see in the budget amendment to be able to cover more than that depending on whatever was needed later on. And so, and I'll go over the budget amendment because it didn't make sense to make the budget amendment if this didn't pass. So, >> okay. Do we have a second on five and five? Madam Chair, >> Dr. Svin. >> Yes. Can you go back over the two new 90 passengers that you were talking about, please? So I can >> the the two options would be through and again I would I'd probably ask for
012a recommendation if this one was still available to move forward and if not to wait because if central states they have the 90 passenger bus they had three as of yesterday three available in May at 176,452 without air conditioning. new. >> Yes, they have available by the beginning of the year if I ordered in two to three weeks but without the contractor options which I've got another email of about what that means um at 159766 but I believe we're going to want storage and all those different types of things that are the contractor options that are normally there. So I would recommend the 176 or 452 so we could have it in May and have it ready to go at the start of the school year. If you went with Midsouth, they do not have
013any new buses currently. And to be able to get delivery for February 2027, we need to place the order by Monday. >> What is their price point? >> 185 without AC. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes. >> So the difference in these used buses that are a little bit higher price than the new buses, they just have more features, air conditioning. How much of these buses cameras Mr. >> cameras, radios, GPS? Yeah, I'd say probably around 10,000 each. >> 10,000. >> Miss Maxwell. Yes. the and it's possible it could be less because we're taking some inventory off of the existing buses and if we have not utilized it yet then we could utilize product that we already have but if we had to use that before then then that would be
014purchasing new. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh but the extra cost for the radio and the camera that's something we are required to do anyways. So it's already comes out of our budget. So even if we didn't even if we were not to buy these four buses or whatever and then the other contractors were to buy it, we would still be required to put the >> the >> correct. >> Yeah. So okay. >> Well, I'm going to second his motion. Um I do believe we need to purchase some today. Can I ask a question? Is it that I haven't ridden a bus in a long time. Is no AC. Is that really a >> Some of them don't have >> Oh, really? Okay. Okay. I was gonna say that that sounds bad. >> It's hot without
015AC. Yeah. >> Okay. >> You got M. >> Okay. I'm sorry, Mr. Darby. >> So, ready, >> Mr. Lee. So, we have seven open after the last all call. Is that what I'm seeing here? Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. With one pending, if y'all approve it today, then we if you don't, we'd have eight. But we do have seven. Yes. What is the general average at any given point throughout the year of open routes? Because I my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, but part of this is for anyone watching too in our email, Dr. Sullivan, all of the routes are currently covered in the sense that our students are being transported. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, these are just routes that nobody has taken over the contract to run. Correct. >> Correct. >>
016Okay. So what is the average typically throughout the year give or take that are open like these? >> Um zero to three. >> Okay. >> Now when you say they're covered some of them are running late >> but they are being covered and students are being transported but they're being transported late. >> Dr. Sullivan. I guess my concern with what's been proposed here and I don't know if there are additional sped buses available or if this was all that was >> this was all that was left. I did not expect the city and Hamilton County to purchase them that quick >> because the five of these seven routes are sped routes that we're talking about. >> Correct. Um, I asked that because I was going to say it it would to me it would make
017more sense to be buying five of those to have that another spare bus since our current spare sped bus gets used and maybe a couple less of the bigger ones since only two of those routes are currently open and we are expecting that this is going to change some next year. But you're saying there were no others. This is the max sped bus >> except for the ones that central states have those three. And he did say if we ordered in the next two to three weeks, he has a couple manufacturing slots that he could put in. Uh I have no idea what that means. That was just the terminology. >> Yes, a couple manufacturing slots that he could put in, but we'd have to order in the next two to three weeks to guarantee
018for August. But Midsouth is out until February, so this would be it. So when our contractors have been telling us that I'm I'm shocked that that's how far I mean you're exactly right that's how far it's out >> my fear is that we pass on some buses and then fall comes something happens and then we we're flatfooted again >> I am still concerned about insurance for next year and so that's something I think we we need to it's not part of this conversation but it's something I think we need to I think it's smart of us to get whatever we can right Miss Maxwell. >> Yes, Mr. >> Okay. So, I have a question. So, the fi So, here are the recommendations for But you're saying that if we can get five sped buff sped
019buses that you will be recommending that >> you have five recommended sped buses on here. You have the four new buses, 24 plus one. Those are four special education buses. >> Oh, and then the used >> and the one used bus. >> Okay. Sorry, I misread that. So there's five five uh sped buses are >> Yeah. M >> that's the fifth one. But here in the 90 passenger you have you're recommending four. >> Yes. Mr. Bond recommended >> for us to do five additional. >> Is that your recommendation to do five or is your recommendation to do four? >> I'm fine to do 10. Five and five is fine. It's not going to hurt us. >> Well, okay. So I want to do what's best for the county and what their needs are. So, I
020do want I I said before that I I wasn't I in favor of buying buses, but I'm not in favor of buying extrainical amount of buses to make it seem like we're trying to start a whole new department where we're starting uh to be more into the bus business. So, um I'm okay with the five buses, but I'm I'm struggling with buying the 590 passenger bus. >> Last year, my recommendation was 10. last year. Okay, that's >> what it was last year. >> Okay. Well, >> we really don't know what's going to happen in the fall, >> right? Well, like I said, I just I'm trying to wrestle with my brain the recommendation in the paper on paper versus the motion that's been presented. >> That's all. I can also tell you if we can
021something we can always consider is if we're insurance gets resolved and we are seven eight months down this road and we also can go back to selling these things back to contractors if we don't want to keep running this thing and I can be out of running buses. So that's always an option as well. >> Miss Shark, >> thank you Madam Chairman. We also have a middle school. >> We do. So that's going to add some >> We have that as well. Any other >> some clarification on which bus you would want me to check on? >> Central States or Midsouth? I'm hoping I would recommend Central States. >> Is that a >> good M? Is that >> all right with you for your >> Williams? Just just for clarity sake. So, we're go let's
022go back to when we were talking about this earlier, but you've had some routes come in. Some people took some of the routes. You put out the all call. A few more routes were taken. Put out another all call. Now, this is kind of where we're stuck at. Is that a fair assessment of of how things have gone? I mean, >> there's there's been two complete all cost. Anybody wants them >> and nobody's picking up these routes. >> They picked up one or two, but that's pretty much where we've been sitting is nine, but now we're down to seven. Well, I just say my position has been and the consistent in the fact that if the routes were not picked up after multiple all calls, then for whatever reason, your shortage of drivers and I
023actually that's another question, you know, how are we going to get the drivers ourselves? Um, but we got to cover the routes. Uh, this we do run into this a little bit on some routes each year. So, maybe this is the next move. Maybe we have maxed out um at some point of the amount of contractors that want to get into this. I don't know. I don't know what's holding up and why we're here, but we're about to have another middle school open with a bunch more routes. So, I want to do what's necessary. I mean, I got to say I do share Miss Rosal's u comments. I was I was perfectly willing to go on the seven. I wish we're st staying there. I mean, I'll listen to the arguments made for why we
024should go further, but that's kind of where I'm at. What we have need of, I have no problem approving. Above that, I'm on the fence. >> Okay. >> Yes, Mr. Darby. >> Um, I think we also do have to think about a couple of things. Do we are we planning on putting in policy that the routes are going to the contractors first and that we're only utilizing this in a in a instance where where we currently are? That would be a question I have for the board. Um and there's also concern with buying the 490 passenger buses if we end up not needing them. There is a cost to a almost $200,000 bus just sitting. vehicles don't tend to do well when they just sit. Um, so there are other things to consider and right
025now I think I think the whole board would probably be on board with the five sped and and at least two of the 90 passenger. I don't know that I'm on board for five and five because I think until we have a better grasp on how this is going to play out a little further and I understand the dilemma. Um, but I would definitely feel more comfortable especially for our contractors, if we put into policy something that states how this process is going to work. I think that kind of backs us up on our word as we're sitting here saying we're not trying to get in the bus business that this is the scenario in which we start utilizing the RCS buses. >> Yeah, >> I think that's a great idea because I would like
026anything we put in policy to help guide us would help us as well. And I think um part of that recommendation like yesterday you have to get an agenda posted. We had nine open routes. So that's where that recommendation came from. And so I just text Trey just a little as we were walking. I said, "What is our updated number as of this moment?" >> So >> that's why we've been trying to wait >> till the last minute. I kept giving them all the opportunities we could give them. >> Yeah. >> And they're running the same problem. They can't find buses either. That's part of their problem. they can't find they you know if they they would like to take a route they may have a driver but they can't get a hold of a
027bus so they can't get in the business >> and these are being held for us right now if we pass they will they will be gone >> see I don't I don't want to get flatfooted >> you know by wait by wait we lose buses too you know >> hold on sir sir yeah >> I just have a followup to what I we did ask do you have like did we find out insurance-wise like does it have to be an RCS this employee that drives the bus. I know there was some talk about whether or not contractors would be able to utilize one of ours in an emergency situation. Did we get >> has to be board the individual has to be board approved. >> But they don't have to be an RCS employee. >>
028If they're board approved, then you're good. But that's why our some of our contractors and their drivers had been okay because they had been board approved to drive activity buses. But if they are just it's a Rutherford County bus and they haven't been board approved, you're probably in a gray area. So I'd rather have it board approved. This will not talking to Mr. Smith yesterday. This is going to be frustrating to our contractors is frustrating to me. We will not have an increase in our insurance for purchasing these buses. >> So Susie Q's bus breaks down and she calls central office and says, "Hey, I need to run my route. My bus broke down. Can I use bus 123 as long as she's board approved? So, we would have to right now. Yes. >> Some
029kind of what that looks like moneywise and that type of thing as well. >> Yep. Or pol. And really, I don't think it's going to be a money thing. I think it's just going to be the board approving these drivers or contractors and their drivers for all of our approved contractors in an emergency. They are authorized to drive Rutherford County. And I need to check with that elim just to make sure because you're you're running into some insurance things which I'm not a expert on but that's how it's worked with our um activity buses which are under our same policy. Okay, Mr. Tiffle and then Mr. Vaughn, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, there that's a that raises an interesting question as well. >> I think we will have to get into we're going to have to
030do some policy changes a lot different stuff add to it. Um, as far as the money aspect, if we don't put a money aspect on it, then maybe somebody's like, "Oh, I ain't going to take a little more long. Y'all take your time fixing my bus cuz this is going on." Um, >> Oh, good point. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, there's a there's going to be a lot of question or a lot of things that we have to adjust, but we can make those adjustments. Other schools, we can look to them and see what they've done. Again, um, my question would then be to Mr. Miss Maxwell, would you guys be willing to rescend back to five sped buses and two 90 passenger buses, which is what we have the need of here? U and then
031if y'all would y'all have earned my vote uh moving forward tonight, but again, I don't want to I don't like rushing into things. We've we know we've talked about this. We clearly that we don't have a whole lot of open routes normally. Uh this was a circumstance that happened where there was an explosion of routes that became available in a short period of time. They got picked up a lot very quickly, but I still think a lot of these are going to get picked up. What that looks like from a policy standpoint of are we going to u lock if we do five sped routes are we going to lock we have the five sped buses are we going to lock those down as ours now? I mean I think that's a conversation we need
032to have versus just returning those back in the open and then taking them back over then turning them back in the open. That's a little bit different. Um, but as far as what that policy looks like, we can adjust that. Are we going to be without um is this going to help us? Yes. But are we going to be without uh students having transportation? If we just do the seven buses, I don't think that's going to be an issue. So, that's that's where I'm at. If y'all would be willing to move back on that, um, then I think that would get probably a 70 vote is what it sounds like up here. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. Go ahead. I respect whoever the board decides. I just want to make sure that everyone understands if
033we have another route turned in, I have no way to cover it. >> So, just if we get just go with seven, I'm going to have to make make sure that our parents understand I'm going to have to go back to contractors and say we purchase buses, but I now have no way to cover it again, which I'm fine doing. I don't know how well that's going to play with some people, but I'm I'm perfectly fine doing that. I just want everybody to understand that. I'm fine doing I expect >> I'm not I'm not going to back up my motion. Five and five is where I stand because I mean there's no doubt that we need them. Uh it's like Mr. Lee said, I'm not sure everybody understood. But these buses that are available are
034getting uh bought up at a pretty rapid rate. U I think last night Mr. Lee I said city of mercy bar about how many >> five sp something like that right up >> there six I didn't know about it till I saw it on the news so >> wow >> so you know I don't I don't want to play that game I don't want to shoot the Russian roulette game I I don't want to get caught my britches down I'm gonna stick with five and five >> and that's why I seconded it I I I'm pray I'm not wrong but come fall I'm afraid there's going to be more turnover due to this insurance >> and I don't want to get caught flat. Go ahead. >> I don't know and if the board's willing to
035do it maybe meet back to where we were at nines which we had open routes which is where we kind of were which was my recommendation and I'm just trying to meet somewhere in the middle. I'll take my place and I'll be quiet over here but that was my original recommendation. So >> this we've had Miss Maxwell >> I have a question for Dr. Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. Over there. >> Go ahead. >> I wasn't speak now for $100,000. You go on and finish. But hell, every one of y'all free time. >> You're No, go for it. >> Remember, I'm your bus guy, right? I >> Go for it. Go for it. >> I wasn't through. >> Go for it. >> I wasn't through. >> Your microphone. >>
036I wasn't through. >> Let let Mr. I was not through. >> You were >> I was order five and five. Let's vote. Either vote for it or you vote yes. >> Can you give us just Can you give us just a few more minutes? Okay. Go ahead. >> Itching. Itching. >> Okay. >> Mr. Sharp Mr. Vault want to go ahead. >> Go ahead. I I've got because I've got a series of statements. Uh, honestly, I'm somewhere in the middle. I've been out in the community and the parents and the kids are still traumatized and they're not settled. I don't want to spend the money, but I think for us to be able to get to a place where we're not behind the eightball, I think we are going to have to buy the buses. Um,
037I don't want to. There's plenty of things that we could spend the money on. Um but we we've got students that have had serious um emotional episodes over not having their buses to take them for for certain things. So I think the sooner that we settle this, the better it will be for our parents >> and our students. Um and um you know maybe we can get ahead of the situation and not be just settle the buses once and for all. I mean this you know it's going to be something else because because it always is. But that's kind of where I am. Don't want to spend the money but I I think for the benefit of the district especially the north end um because that's the one that it it's always affected the north
038end. Um, I think the sooner that we get our plan and get it settled, I think it's going to be better for everybody. >> Mr. VA, I am waiting. >> All right. All right. I'm going to try to methodically work through this. Just a minute. Um, between now and the fall, you're going to rework routes pro, you know, because of the reasoning. I'm going restate that fact. Correct. >> Yes. No anticipation of dropping routes with opening a new school. Even if there are some efficiencies that are gain routes combined, whatever. Do you anticipate losing any routes? >> That would be a dream, but no sir. >> So, so, so routes are off right. So, numbers off the table. These in my brain, you got to go through that. So, that takes care of that. Do
039you have probably more experience with buses than any of the rest of us sitting here? Do you have a preference on brand or both dealerships are good to deal with or got a preference? Does it matter >> in our experience? >> I I know some of our contractors have they have a preference. >> It's like me and you Ford and Chevrolet. >> I'm Chevrolet all the way. >> I'm a Ford guy. Yeah. >> So, it's the same thing. We have had good experiences with both. Both dealerships are good to work with. We have open contracts with both of them to repair seats. They both offer comparable services. >> Great. Um, following up on the policy, I think that's one reason we needed There are a lot of open-ended questions here. How how will we approach
040this? What should we do? I'm I'm going to make a public statement here. I think if there's a route that one of our contractors is, you know, wants to pick up this fall, this summer or something, that would probably be priority in my mind. But it appears there is a trend right now of open routes and it appears to be concentrated in some of our more hightra areas somewhat. I don't know if that's because some of our contractors would rather drive in the rural areas like you know Caleb and I are used to are a lot of areas around us. So I I I would my preference would be yes we continue our relationship with our contractors but I think we need to be prudent in looking at this. The the the other thing would
041be um I kind of laughed about this this morning thinking about it and I maybe it'll make y'all laugh, maybe make you think. I don't know but we have what what's the program Dr. So that we um that we've initiated here with teachers where they >> grow your own. Thank you. Is this an opportunity to grow our own contractors? Could this be where we, you know, hire them and they drive for the county two or three years, four years or whatever, they decide they that they want to be a contractor and then they kind of step into it. I don't want to create a lot of undue competition in within the county with our contractors, but I will say this, a lot more of them have got gray hair than don't. They're they're get I
042mean, I'm just going to say that I don't mean that ugly. That's just we're we're a mature group of people. And so, if we look down the road, you know, 5 10 years, where are we going to be with this? So, it could be a possibility we could utilize these buses to train our own, so to speak, to do that. I hope that kind of made everybody laugh or think about it or anything. I'm I'm a little concerned about us getting in the bus leasing business. We have several contractors that lease buses and we were talking kind of getting bogged down there about will contractors be able to drive our buses or whatever. Again, I think that's a policy question, but we do have several contractors that have been good about leasing buses to those
043drivers or those other contractors that have a bus that breaks down. I I would hate to be in competition with them if we didn't have to be. Uh so again, I think that comes up at policy. We can probably take care of that. Um my final question, why u buy the 42 passenger the used 42 passenger bus? I know it's there and it's available, but it going into a fleet system. I've always kind of looked at, you know, if you if you if you mimicked, you know, if you had all these of one side, all these of another size, you could interchange routes, you could interchange things. If you got this 142 passenger bus sitting out here, is it too big to really run some routes or is it not big enough to run others?
044Comment about that? >> Yes, be happy to. So, this is one Dr. Ross and I actually talked about. >> Okay. >> Specifically, >> so this is her that we going to bring her in on this. Good. >> So, it goes back to the three facilities we were talking about earlier. >> Sure. >> Yeah. I don't know a ton about buses, but here's what I can tell you about this bus is that we do have several schools who have multiple students with wheelchairs. And so when we have that, then our bus contractors are having to run two routes sometimes to get all the kids home. Um we have one we have a couple students with very large wheelchairs. this large of a bus is going to allow us to take out seats um to accommodate multiple
045wheelchairs and larger wheelchairs, but then also accommodate a a lot of students to get home as well um that need that special transportation. >> So th this is this is kind of opposite of some of the discussion we had this morning about sped where you have to have individual transportation for some of our sped people. >> Oh, Mr. Bot, I've got all the needs. So, across our district, we are a large district with a lot of different needs. Yes. And so, what we talked about this morning is that uh those smaller buses would be great in certain situations, but this bus when when Dr. Sullivan brought it to me, I said, "I already know a student that could ride this bus." >> Well, she got excited about this. She did cuz I said, "Hey, type
046A, type C. Let's Google that." I mean, we did. I had to contract. We had to get on AI and figure out what that what in the world these were. So, we did. >> So, >> all right. So anyway, I I think most of our concerns now probably can be addressed during policy if that makes any sense. So I'm I've said my piece. >> Okay, >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes, m. >> Hey Trey, how many before the contractor issue, how many routes did we have open? >> Sir, >> before the contractor issue, how many routes did we have open? >> Two. and you said it's somewhere between zero and three most most years. So to me this feels excessive. So I understand where we're at currently. Again I think that there is a cliff that
047we just fell off of. Our contractors are going to pick up off of this cliff. They just need a little more time to get the paperwork together, buy the buses, do what they typically do. Um we opened up Popular Hill Elementary last year. We're only dealing with two open routes before this issue. I'm at the same position I I just mentioned a few minutes ago. Um, so you know, if there's no recent, I understand. I'm just one vote on this board, but that's where I'm at. >> Madam Chair. >> Yes, Mr. Derby. >> Has there been conversation or thought around salary range for this? Because we aren't talking about a difference between what we're paying them when they're bringing the bus versus pay for just a driver. And have we done any research on what
048that looks like? >> Yes. >> In the open market to be competitive? >> Yes. So, we've got um job description first has to come to you all for approval. And so, that will be at the next board meeting if this goes through. I believe it's R 107. Does that Yes. R 107 with uh part-time without benefits. If we have because we've talked about special education potentially being full-time, that would bump down a couple levels because you would then have to incorporate benefits into that. We are working on our job description still. Um, some of the ones in other counties are, what's a good way to to word it? Rudimentary would be a good way to write and I I don't I don't love the way that they're written. So, we're we're trying to write them
049a little bit better. And so, that's what we're working through, but you'll have them as soon as the agenda is posted because we've got to go through them again once a decision was made on this. But, R107 is going to be our recommendation for part-time without benefits. And then if it's >> What is that like on the scale the rate? >> Yeah. Let me pull it up real quick. What else to start? 2278. >> Okay. Um, and I'm sorry and I know a lot of this will probably get get worked out down the line, but but I am just trying to get as much information as possible because this is going to end up being >> a recurring cost issue. So, >> how are the buses being fueled? Are the drivers going to be responsible?
050Are they going to be provided with the means to fuel them? Is someone here going to be tasked with that training? Like if we have people that say, "Hey, I'd love to do it, but I don't have my CDL." Are we planning on paying for that? Like, >> I'm I'm interested in what all of that looks like because all of that is going to add to the cost of all of this. >> It will. And you'll >> the board will we have a motion? Um >> yeah, >> a lot of the those details are in our budget amendment as far as the first parts of it. fuel cost, um salary ranges, benefits, those type of things. We will of course have to work through fuel with the county. Um those different types of things. We've
051got part of it back here. Trey, do you want to speak on some of that? We would operate it or plan to right now similar to what we do with our county maintenance vehicles. We have gas and diesel both here. And we have three places in town that we have uh abilities to stop and get fuel. So based on where the bus would be stationed would be which option we would use. >> So would the driver be responsible for making sure it's fueled? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That's the way most counties in most of the job descriptions we've looked at. That's the way they've been that's the way they're worded. >> They're responsible for fueling and not paying for it. >> No. Not anybody anybody watching was going to be like whoa. Yeah. >>
052Yeah. >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes. M. >> Dr. Sullivan, did you say this was going to be a part-time or full-time? >> Part time because that's >> part time. Okay. >> Contractors out. Special education routes may be different. We may drop that down >> another level. And we may have to last year's recommendation was R107. That's what we came up with last year. We may have to go back and look at that um based on whatever the board decides. We need to talk to a couple contractors still, but R107, I talked about last board meeting what Murphy'sboro City had, what Clarksville was. We want to be in range with all of those and not also be in too much competition with our contractors with only five to 10 buses. Hopefully, we'll be able to employ
053some of those people that were no longer driving that still want to be able to drive. That would be our hope so that we're not in competition that we can hire some of those drivers. >> I I have one more question. So my last question is um if if the board approves this, are we going to see another board agenda item of buying more buses or this is what we're saying we're buying? >> Unless the board put it out there. >> Okay. >> Board wanted to do something with the budget this coming year. >> Okay. But this is what we're doing. This is one by one. We're buying this once and once for and possibly if one of these go down to replace then it'll be that may be the only reason they can come
054back up or not. Okay. At some point in the future in the next one, two, three years, we're gonna have to start looking at activity buses, but that's a whole separate >> Yeah. >> But activity buses are totally separate from the >> transportation. Okay. >> Okay. M. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I don't need to mean to be Debbie Mount Downer here, but my former husband was a dispatcher and a CDL. He had a CDL millions and millions of miles. I've gone coast to coast in the truck before with him numerous times. Um the day rate right now I think is about $200. We can go over to Taylor Farms right now and they're paying them before 70 70 grand. I don't know that we're going to be able to find anyone with a
055CDL that's going to work for $22. >> Yep. >> Without benefits and Davidson County is already paying their bus drivers to set in the lot. >> Yeah. >> Because they have to pay them full-time. They don't have full-time routes for them to do, but they're not going to work for less than what what they're paying them. They're going to have to sit in the lot. So, um, yeah, >> I think we're going to be shocked. We're going to have a sticker shock. And then you're going to have the halves and the have nots, if you will, because you're going to have drivers that are going to have benefits and vacation and maternity leave, and then you're going to have other contractors that are not going to have it. you're gonna we're setting up a two
056tiered kind of system here with the routes and nobody's going to be happy. So, >> um you know, people with the CDLs, >> they're worth their money and gold. >> Well, I have a question. No, >> Mr. Darby had her hand up. Yes. Go ahead. >> Mr. Lee, do you have any idea of what the averages that our contractors pay their drivers? >> The ones I've seen are around 1,800 a month. No. No. They're saying no. >> Mr. Johnson, >> way up. >> Yeah. Way up. >> Mr. Johnson, could you >> Yes. Speak to that. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay. >> Whether or not we should buy buses now. The district is expected to grow in about from about 500 to a,000 students for the rest of this year. If you drive around some
057of the neighborhoods like I did yesterday, some of those neighborhoods have new homes being built. And right now, if we can not support the existing number of students, if we don't have additional buses, we're not going to be able to support 500 to a,000 more. And I think someone said it, many of the drivers are elderly. Either they get sick, they die, or they just can't drive anymore. When that happens, and sometimes it happens during the week, we have to have someone that's ready to step in and take over that route. If not, what you have is another driver who covers that route. They cover it, >> but in covering the student the driver is anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes late picking up a child and that's what we have to consider. So
058make a decision, but I just wanted to put that out. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Question. Okay. So the 2800 I I I multiply that out by 10 months. Does that include benefits or no benefits? >> No benefits. So, if it doesn't include benefits, will will if we were to um hypothetically do this part-time, will with the benefits, will it get comparable to what the average is? >> Then you're going to be competing with our contractors. >> Okay. >> And just so the R107 that number is beginning zero experience. It goes all the way to >> Are we going to be able to get insurance for that? >> Because they're covered. years. >> Yep. Their employees cover under our insurance. >> That's right. Which is >> kind of like a train train your own
059>> kind of ridiculous, but it's the system that we're under. Um that goes all the way to hour. >> Miss Darby, you had your hand up. >> 28,000. >> Mr. Lee or Mr. Johnson? I'm not sure. Have either one of you heard from the contractors that some of them are planning on picking more up, but they're in the process of locating a bus or training a driver because I I'm just trying to go over >> this whole picture. Yes. And this again, this system has worked really well for a really long time. This was one issue with one contractor that has kind of busted this whole thing open. Um, and what again what I don't want to do is buy all of these and then have contractors in the next couple months come to the
060table with a new driver or a new bus because I know throughout the year several of them are training new drivers and it's just a matter of time until they can get them trained and tested and all that stuff. So, have you had any insight into any of our contractors looking into those things that we are we know that some of them are planning on on boarding buses or drivers? >> Whoever wants to answer or both of you want to. >> I've had two instances. We've had two drivers who tried to buy new buses, but when they went over, we have already bought all of the buses, so they're not available. They can order a bus, but what they're being told it would be almost 6 months to a year before they received that new
061bus. So that's not going to help our immediate situation. And one driver wanted to pick up a sped route, another wanted to pick up a regular route, but again, they could not because they couldn't purchase a bus. And if they w were to purchase a bus, it would take them again six months to a year to get the bus. >> But you're saying they couldn't buy them because we bought them. >> We bought them. >> We haven't bought them yet. We we have well that we >> he right we are going >> clarif >> they are reserved for us right >> so he set them aside and reserved them for us and but if we don't buy them they're available for the them to buy correct >> okay well thank you sir I appreciate it
062>> as someone who grew up in this county lifelong and >> I I we have done this for a long time and no, we don't want to come in and get in competition with our contractors. We love our contractors, but there have been cracks. It's bigger and bigger and bigger we get. It gets harder and harder to wrap your hands around it. And there were cracks before all this happened. And it was working, but it was working because one contractor had 41 routes. And we don't need to do that again either. So, I I just I'm I seconded Butch's motion, and if everyone is ready to vote, I'd like to just go ahead and vote and take care of this tonight. Yes, Mr. VA. >> Point of clarification, since it's a motion, we've got four
063used 90 passenger, four new type A's, one used 42 passenger. What is the fifth 90 passenger bus? Is it going to be the a new central states bus base model or is it going to be one of those that's available in May uh at 176,000? And I don't mean to put anybody on the spot, but uh I'm gonna put somebody on Well, somebody's got somebody's got to make a I guess Dr. Sullivan, I'm gonna ask this question to you. If if the motion is to buy 10, where's that where's that fifth 90 passenger bus come from? What would be your recommendation? Or is you got a preference? >> I'd recommend the contractor model, the 170, whatever that number was, >> the one in May. Are those available? That way you got it tied up. >>
064Yep. >> U because the other one would be if ordered in two to three weeks >> if it's still available. Yeah. That they're not holding that spot. So if it's still available. >> So take one. So So take one of those that's available in May at 176 >> 452. Uh oh, there's going to be two of them with no AC. I we honestly would have probably bought all of them with AC because that's the ones I that I wanted and I hate that for them, but it was the cheapest. >> No, sure it is. But sure it is. >> Another county bought them before we could. >> Yeah. Well, that's what I was looking at. Do you do you swap these around a little bit? But I don't want to get I don't want to
065confuse the motion. So anyway, >> okay. So we have a motion. >> Everybody clear on where the >> We all clear. Okay. >> One I'd just like to say one thing. it. Put a little everybody a little at peace. Um, when these buses wear out, these buses without air conditioning in the buses where you can take the seats out and put the handicap wrap in there. Back in the old days, I would have bought that and send it to one of my buddies at another school and tell them it's for their football team. >> So, but I know nobody do that. So, but we can just certainly wear them out. So, ready to vote. >> Okay, everyone ready? Roll call. Could you repeat the motion? >> Motion made by Butch Vaughn and seconded by Claire
066Maxwell to approve five sped buses and five passenger buses. The fifth being a new 90 passenger bus not listed but from central states for 176452. >> Yes. >> Yeah. It be the four used buses. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> What's on that list? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Roll call, please. Mr. Tidwell. >> No. >> Mrs. Rosales? >> Yes. >> Miss Sharp? >> Yes. >> Mr. Va? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Vaughn, >> yes. >> Mrs. Darby, >> no. >> Mrs. Maxwell, yes. Motion passes. Okay. >> Also, I if you don't mind, I would ask everybody to kind of think through what policies we need. Yeah. Since we got the policy committee coming up in April and any of our contractors if they've got input, too, >> please. Yes. Yep. this
067this in this insurance thing has thrown everybody off and some of this needs to be corrected. So, please reach out and everybody try to figure >> figure through this. >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes, >> Dr. You don't think we'll have an answer on insurance before the policy committee? Probably not. Okay. >> No, >> but yeah, there will be some stuff we could still address. >> Okay. >> I don't know that we'll have one before the first week of May. Okay, moving along. Uh let's go to number two, request for approval. >> This is the approval of route 39 awarding gossip bus lines makes over 10 contracts. And then we also have um it was in the board motion some approval of the former um contractors bus VIN numbers that are now under new ownership and
068the request to transfer bus 81 from Lily Sweder to her daughter Brandy Savannah. >> Move to approve. >> Second. Thank you. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Next we have number three, budget 141, budget amendment. >> Can you go to the tab so I can go over this? Should have a tab, too. Oh, is it right beside it? >> It should be right under. >> Is it right under? Oh, there it is. Okay. And zoom in on that. So, this is um so I can explain to and Brian, you may have to help me a little bit on this. So, this we're going to go um if this budget amendment passes, we will go to the county commission tonight, but this does not require a budget amendment from the county commission.
069It is a >> line item transfer between object codes. No, explain. Is that correct? No. So it's a it's a transfer in a major category in just a single major major category not in between categories. So basically it's staying in 72710 which is the transportation category. So because there's no movement outside of that account number then it's not required to take it to the county commission for approval. >> Yeah. >> But we will need to probably announce it to them. So, so out of respect for the county commission, um, Commissioner Dodd is going to request to suspend the rules so that I can go up there and then explain just so that everybody is clear and understands what we are doing. Um, so that there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding though. And so, just so
070that everyone can see this motion, let me go back to my tab real quick so I can pull this up. It's easier for me to read on here. All right. So you will see this is 70 uh the everybody look at 72710 transportation contracts with private vehicle owners. 33,688 $688,22 was budgeted. We are decreasing that by 1.9 million. It leaves $31,788,22. You will then see that money is then reallocated 1.7 million to motor vehicles. We just used a round number because I didn't know what the board was going to recommend to do. So 1.7 which is well within the 1.5 something round number under that that the board approved. We put in and this was with in consultation with Mr. Ronian and um Mr. Smith $4.99 other supplies and materials 19,200 for anything that comes
071up between now and end of school year for when we ever collect buses. Gasoline $100,000. You will see that we added a little bit of benefits if um based on where these employees come on. We added bus drivers $75,000. Again, I doubt that they're going to be employed for very long. you're only looking at four, five, six weeks at the most by the time we get a job description approved, posted, hired. Uh, and that is where the $1.9 million is allocated in the budget amendment. The board does have to pass the budget amendment. The county will be notified of it. They'll pass it at a cleanup amendment. We're going to present it tonight. If they want to pass it as a budget amendment, they'll have that option to pass it as a budget amendment, but
072it is just a transfer between this account. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Bont. Thank you, Mr. Bond. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Opposed? Okay. Okay. Okay. So, will you do a roll call or do just want to take you down? Okay. Okay. Miss Darby and Mr. Cibil are in descent. Okay. >> Okay. Motion still passes. Okay. Thank you. That's nothing further. We are adjourned. >> Right on. Good news.