BUSD purchases two Chevy vans for special education needs

The Bonsall Unified School District (BUSD) had been utilizing a contractor for transportation of special education students, but that service has been costing the district $480 each day and a fiscal analysis determined that the district would save money over the long term by purchasing and operating vans.

On July 14, the BUSD board voted 4-0, with Lou Riddle absent, to purchase two Chevrolet Express ten-passenger vans for $68,225.56.

"The cost of leasing was not the best thing over a multi-year period," said BUSD superintendent Justin Cunningham. "We're paying so much in leases that within two years we're going to be making money on the deal compared to where we were."

The cost to purchase the two vans, which cost $34,112.83 apiece, will be augmented by a $6,000 wheelchair lift expenditure. The BUSD expenses will also include an estimated annual $34,713 to pay van drivers. The first-year expense of $108,938.66 will be $22,538.66 more costly than the $86,400 contractor expense, but in subsequent years the district's annual cost will only be $40,713, which will be a $45,687 savings. Based on a 10- to 12-year lifecycle for the vans the district's total savings will likely exceed $500,000.

Richland Chevrolet Company of Shafter will be providing the vans to the Bonsall district.