Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Seven new 71-passenger school buses are on the way to School District 831.

The school board, meeting in regular session on Thursday, Nov. 1, voted 6-0 to approve an administrative recommendation to utilize a state bid contract for the bus purchase.

In making its decision, the school board approved a bid from Hoglund Bus Company, Inc. of Monticello in the amount of $83,409.12 per bus. The total purchase price is $583,863.84.

Larry Martini, director of business services, told the board the district had a budget of $600,000 for the purchase.

As part of the deal, the district will trade seven 1994 71-passenger buses. The district will receive $1200 per bus for the trade-ins.

Last week’s decision marked a change in course for bus purchases. Rather than going out on its own with bids, the district explored utilizing the state bid contract provided through the Minnesota School Bus Purchasing Program for 2007-2008.

The state program collected bids from Hoglund, North Central and Superior, three leading providers of school buses. The Hoglund bid was the low bid and met all district requirements.

The 2008 models carry a much higher per bus price from the price the district spent two years ago, Martini said. When the district last purchased new buses, the per bus cost was $69,000.

A major factor in the higher cost, Martini said, was new federal emission standards that jacked up the price by about $10,000 per unit.

The seven 1994 models that will leave the district fleet have mileage that averages 180,000 miles per bus. The range is 150,000 miles to 225,000 miles per bus.

The district will still have four of the 1994 models remaining in its fleet.

The board was unanimous in its decision to proceed. Votes of approval came from President Bill Bresin and members David Gay, Eric Langness, Joe Grafft, Dan Kieger and Rob Rapheal.

Member Julie Corcoran was absent at the Nov. 1 board meeting.

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