Benjamin Logan Local School District Awarded Funds to Purchase Buses

The Benjamin Logan Local School District has been awarded $90,000 to purchase and replace two buses. The state budget included $50 million for districts for school buses purchases in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The goal of the School Bus Purchase Program is to remove the oldest model year and highest mileage school buses used for regular route service in Ohio.

Jennifer Sudhoff, Treasurer/CFO stated receiving this award was very timely. At the February board of education meeting, members approved a motion to advertise and receive bids for two 78-passenger buses through the META Solutions. Members also approved the lease/purchase of the buses through Rush Truck Centers of Ohio. Superintendent John Scheu said the district qualified for state grants totaling $45,000 for each bus. The estimated $90,000 cost per vehicle would be cut in half.

The low bid for each bus was $90,211. Sudhoff noted that last year’s successful bid was $86,459. This year’s bid represents an increase of $3,752 (4.34%) per bus over the prior year’s amount. The vast increase represents inflationary pressures and surcharges (for example, a $100 surcharge per tire).

Buses are a significant component of the Benjamin Logan Local School District’s daily operations. The School District is the 16th largest school district, geographically, in the state. Transportation Director Brenda Fahle reports Benjamin Logan currently has 25 buses that travel 1,969 miles a day and 326,854 miles in a year. Daily ridership averages 839 students. Bus replacements are scheduled over a four-year cycle.

Ohio law requires boards of education to provide transportation for pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade who live more than two miles from their assigned school. Benjamin Logan Local Schools provides transportation services to students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

State funding (through the state foundation program) for pupil transportation helps offset the costs of transporting public and nonpublic students to and from school. However, these state appropriations do NOT address the cost of procuring and replacing the buses needed to transport Ohio students. Superintendent John Scheu recognizes state legislators listened to school district pleas to provide funding for school bus purchases. Otherwise, this enormous cost is endured 100% by local taxpayers.

For additional information, contact CFO/Treasurer Jennifer Sudhoff at [email protected]