Warren County School District board members are reviewing the purchase of two nine-passenger vans in an attempt to save money on transportation.

Michael Kiehl, the district’s business services director, presented a plan to purchase the vans for a total cost of $140,000. Driver and labor costs accrued by using other transportation companies compared to buying the vans is expected to save money each year, Kiehl said. The district is spending more than $20,000 in renting vans per year, not including fuel costs.

“I am confident there are financial savings going this route,” he said.

Vans would help with taking students from the STRIVE program (Social interaction, Transition planning, Recreation and leisure, Independent living, Vocational learning, and Exploration and employment skills). Other student groups it could benefit include sports teams such as tennis, golf and other typically smaller teams while the career center for co-op work opportunities as well as music programs could find use in the vans as well.

No new drivers will need to be hired, Kiehl said. Teachers and coaches will need to be approved for driving the vans.

The district currently uses Enterprise by renting vans. Board member John Wortman said coaches have expressed difficulty and inconvenience with having to use the rental vehicles. A couple of public commenters suggested buying more than two vans since more may be required after the closure of Youngsville and Sheffield high schools. The district pays $500 for a bus per day. Sometimes teams are transporting as few as 14 students to a sporting event while only bringing back less than half of them because some athletes ride home with parents after the game.

Dr. Patricia Hawley-Mead, district pupil services director, said district officials have discussed district-owned vans for more than three years. Thirty students access the STRIVE program, with the district transporting students with intellectual disabilities and autism. Community based instruction is required by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

Mead said her department budgets for $13,000 in transportation expenses related to that type of instruction for special education funding. She said it costs $300 per bus now, money that could be reallocated if the district uses its own vans.

“Definitely an asset for the special education program and I think that we can work together as I have given a three-year comparison on expenses being contributed to community-based instruction, but also provides flexibility for things like skills and smaller athletic teams,” Mead said.

Teachers are already getting paid and so having them drive the vans also saves on the cost of a hired driver. Mead offered to have a cost analysis to be drawn up.

“We just want to get this in front of you just to let you know it’s coming, and we will provide all the documentation, we’ll provide the numbers,” said Gary Weber, district superintendent. “If it’s something you do or don’t want to entertain.”