PB R-I to spend $150K for pair of buses

The Poplar Bluff R-I School Board approved replacing two 2010 district route buses.

The approved bid, from Central States Bus Sales, runs at $150,000 in total if the district gets approval for a Volkswagen Trust Bus Grant. The grant would be for about $22,500 if awarded.

The 71-passenger buses will be 2021 Blue Bird models that use gas rather than diesel.

Ronald Martin, director of transportation, said he recommended gas over diesel because of added emission maintenance and repair costs.

Gas buses run cooler, are lighter and run easier in cities, he said.

The trade-in buses have over 100,000 miles on them.

Martin said they will run routes on the east side and travel 10,000-12,000 miles a year. These are not field trip buses and will be used primarily within city limits.

The bus budget still has about $208,000 prior to this bid, Martin said.

The two new buses will come with a camera system and LED lights.

They will replace the two buses that are the oldest in the fleet.

Meal Prices

In other business recently approved by the board, school district meal prices will remain the same for the 2020-21 school year for students with a slight increase for adult lunches.

According to board documents, pre-kindergarten through third-grade students receive free meals. Fourth through 12th grade students are charged $1.70 for breakfast and $2.45 for lunch.

In the coming year, adult breakfast meals will remain at $1.85 per meal. Adult lunches will increase by 20 cents to $3.20.

Dr. Amy Jackson, assistant superintendent of finances, said districts are required to charge more for adult meals than free reimbursement rates.

According to board documents, 76% of the district is on free and reduced programs. That translates to about 3,629 free meal eligible students and 288 reduced meal eligible students. Reduced breakfast costs 30 cents and lunch costs 40 cents.

Meal Programs

The district served about 48,560 breakfasts, lunches and dinners to students during the stay-at-home order. According to board documents, they started serving about 250 fewer meals per day after the order expired.