Belpre BOE approves buying used buses

BELPRE - The Belpre City Schools Board of Education Monday gave approval for the district to advertise for bids and purchase two used school buses.

Superintendent Harry Fleming said the district is not replacing buses, but needs at least one more because of the change in routing this year.

"We went to a single bus route, which means we really should have one more bus and we only have one extra bus if we have breakdowns or problems," Fleming said. "For the price, we decided to get two."

The cost the board approved is $36,000 each for two used conventional school buses from Yellow Bus Sales of Newcomerstown, Ohio.

The district had been on a two-route system until this new school year. The change was made to reflect the reorganization of the district from four separate schools to two campuses.

The single routing system also saves money on gasoline and wages for the bus drivers.

"Buying two used buses will help us out and actually costs less than buying one new," said board president Rod Hineman.

The board also discussed the possibility of allowing home-schooled students to attend Belpre City Schools on a part-time basis for certain classes.

Fleming brought up the proposition to the board because he recently received a request from the parent of a home-schooled child that just moved into the area, to take a foreign language at the high school.

Board policy doesn't address part-time students and the Ohio Revised Code permits it as per the discretion of the school board, Fleming said.

"I don't feel strongly either way," he said.

Board members Hineman, Buzz Abbott, Bobbi Simmons and Mike Wile had no objections while member B.J. Cassady said he had a small problem with it.

"I would rather see a student enrolled here full-time have that spot than a student who is only here a few hours a day," Cassady said.