Policy 2.291

Acquisition and Replacement of Vehicles

1. Purpose. To establish procedures for the acquisition and replacement of District vehicles, including school buses.

2. School Board Purchase and Replacement.

   1. Bus Specifications. All school buses purchased after the effective date of this policy shall meet or exceed the applicable school bus specifications required by the Florida Department of Education and provided in the State Board of Education rule.

   2. Replacement or Purchases. School buses, at ten years or 200,000, miles shall be considered for replacements annually when funds are available. The Superintendent shall recommend to the School Board funding for school bus purchases or replacements. In making recommendations for purchases, the Superintendent shall include anticipated changes in the student population and its impact upon the student transportation program when making a recommendation for school bus purchases.

   3. Safety. The Superintendent, or designee, shall recommend replacement of any specific bus, regardless of age, when that bus is deemed unsafe for transporting students.

3. Non-Bus Vehicle Purchase and Replacement.

   1. Vehicle Specifications. The Superintendent, or designee, shall determine the vehicle specification requirement in coordination with the subject department's operating requirements.

   2. Replacement Criteria. Board-owned motor vehicles should be considered for replacement when the following criteria are reached:

      1. Passenger cars, 7 years or 120,000 miles

      2. Light duty trucks and vans, 10 years or 180,000 miles

      3. Heavy duty trucks, 10 years or 240,000 miles; or

      4. Uneconomical to repair or operate

   3. Safety. If it is determined a vehicle is not safe to operate, the Superintendent shall recommend replacement or retirement.

   4. Economic Considerations. The Superintendent shall recommend replacement of any vehicle regardless of age or mileage that are deemed by the Transportation Department not to be cost effective to repair. Vehicles which are safe and provide adequate service with reasonable maintenance costs may be retained beyond the recommended age or mileage criteria and shall remain in service as long as practical.

4. Economic and Other Considerations. This policy shall not preclude an earlier or later replacement if the director of transportation, as the Superintendent's designee, determines that the District's action is economically desirable, efficient, safe, and in compliance with the law.

5. Prior Approval of Transportation Required for Acquisition of Vehicles. Before any vehicle to be used for transportation is acquired by a school or department, or is received as a donation, the Transportation Department shall inspect and determine the value of the vehicle, availability of repair parts, and the probable cost of upkeep.