The Logan-Hocking School District (Hocking, Perry and Vinton Counties) has been awarded $138,085 to purchase and replace three buses. The Ohio Department of Education selected Logan-Hocking a recipient of a School Bus Purchase award. House Bill 110 provided $50 million for school districts to replace older school buses. As part of the department's School Bus Purchase Program for 2021-2023 school years, any bus a district purchases with these funds must replace a bus that currently is used for regular route service.
School District Treasurer Paul Shaw appreciates this award and stated that it was very timely. Recently the School District sought bids for the purchase of three new buses. The low bid for each bus was $93,189. He noted that last year's successful bid was $84,490. This year's bid represents an increase of $8,699 (10.3%) per bus over the prior year's amount! The huge increase represents inflationary pressures and surcharges (for example, $100 surcharge per tire). There was not change in the specifications being bid.
Buses are a vital component of the Logan-Hocking Local School District's daily operations. The School District is one of the largest districts, geographically, in the state. Transportation Supervisor Dennis Morgan reports that Logan-Hocking currently has 50 buses that travel 4,710 miles a day, 847,800 miles in a year. Seventy-six (76) bus routes are run by 41 regular drivers. Daily ridership averages 1,325 students. Bus replacements are scheduled over a 7 year cycle.
Pupil transportation service is required for all Ohio students in kindergarten through eighth grade who live more than two miles from their schools. Many school districts, like Logan- Hocking, also provide transportation for students in grades 9-12 and for students who live between one and two miles of their schools.
State funding (through the state foundation program) for pupil transportation helps offset the costs of transporting public and nonpublic students to and from school (day to day operating costs). However, these state appropriations do NOT address the cost of procuring and replacing the buses needed to transport Ohio students. Shaw thanks state legislators that have listened to school district pleas to provide for school bus purchase funding. Otherwise, this
huge cost is borne 100% by local taxpayers.
For additional information, contact Treasurer Paul Shaw @pshaw@lhsd.k12.oh.us.
Bus funding award 2.2022 February 9, 2022