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The Warren County School District is considering purchasing school vans as administrators look for ways to reduce transportation costs and address difficulties securing vehicles for athletics and other student programs.
The issue was discussed during this week's school board meeting following concerns about the cancellation and availability of vans for sports. Administrators said the district has encountered logistical challenges renting vans, including an incident in which a vehicle had to be picked up in Olean, N.Y., after closer locations were unable to provide one.
The district also recently had to use school buses when it could not secure enough rental vans for golf events in Bradford and Meadville.
Michael Kiehl, business services director, said the district currently spends approximately $20,000 annually on Enterprise rental vans. Purchasing district-owned vans could provide an alternative while also supporting programs beyond athletics.
Kiehl estimated a roughly three-and-a-half-year payback period for purchasing the vehicles. That calculation includes estimated insurance, tires, brakes, routine maintenance and unexpected maintenance costs, but does not include potential grant funding.
It was estimated that adding vehicles would cost approximately $1,200 annually in insurance.
Kiehl explained that district-owned vans could reduce the need to use more expensive transportation options, including contracted vans with drivers and school buses. Coaches who already receive pay for their athletic responsibilities would drive students to events without receiving additional compensation for driving.
Director of Pupil Services Patricia Hawley-Mead said the district could potentially use School-Based ACCESS Program funding to offset a portion of the cost if the vans were used for qualifying special education purposes. The district has accumulated funding through its participation in the state’s school-based ACCESS program, but those dollars are restricted to eligible services for students with disabilities.
Mead said the district is also pursuing grant opportunities. She cautioned, however, that vehicles purchased with restricted ACCESS or grant funding could face limitations on their use for general education or athletics.
The discussion also highlighted potential uses outside of sports. The vans could also provide students with opportunities for work experiences, as well as Career Center activities and other student programs that require transportation during the school day.
Board members questioned whether the district’s evolving transportation needs make purchasing vans a worthwhile long-term investment, particularly if the vehicles could serve athletics, special education, workforce programs and administrative needs.
No purchase was approved during the discussion. Instead, the administration agreed to return to the board with a funding recommendation.
The proposed recommendation will examine potential funding sources, how costs could be shared among programs and the projected financial impact of purchasing district-owned vans.
Board members indicated they would review the administration’s proposal before deciding whether to move forward.