Post date: Aug 20, 2012 12:31:48 AM
Every day approximately 1,600 students are transported by Bartlesville Public School District buses. As part of the proposed August 28 bond issue, the transportation department would receive 1.050 million dollars in bond funds to phase out old equipment.
The allotted bond funds focus on replacing aging passenger buses, special needs buses and district vehicles for maintenance.
The daily transportation of students is one of the most critical elements to keeping a school district operating. Without the bond funds, there will be no money available to purchase new buses and vehicles for the BPSD transportation fleet.
BPSD buses are heavily used for many purposes on a daily basis including getting students to and from school, to athletic events, field trips and fine arts performances. It is vital that our students be transported in safe and efficient equipment.
Currently in the transportation fleet, there are seven 1990 model buses and 10 1998 model buses that require a great deal of
maintenance and are highly inefficient. According to transportation supervisor Fred Auschwitz, the 1990 buses only get approximately four miles per gallon. Meanwhile, new buses would average between nine and 12 miles per gallon. New buses
would also come with five year warranties which would save money on repairs.
Phasing out the 22 year old buses is a necessity. The buses have already been pushed well beyond their limit and although they meet all legal safety requirements, it is time they be replaced. The replacement will allow BPSD transportation to operate more efficiently and economically.
Additionally, many maintenance vehicles are also in need of replacement. The maintenance vehicles are vital to our district and
they allow the transportation of employees and equipment to school sites throughout the district. The oldest vehicle currently in the maintenance fleet is a 1979 model truck. In order to assure all maintenance needs in the BPSD are quickly and efficiently met, the maintenance department must have dependable vehicles to get the job done.
Replacing the aging transportation infrastructure is part of the August 28 bond issue that focuses strictly on the essentials to keep the BPSD achieving excellence and operating efficiently. In accordance with the State of Oklahoma law, voters will be required to vote separate on the transportation issue. To be approved, the transportation issue must receive at least 60% percent yes votes.
As a reminder, the passage of the August 28 bond issue would result in NO tax increases. Current tax rates would stay the same and
taxpayers would see NO change.