Bartow Schools To Sell Buses, Change Calendar

plans to retire five vehicles from its bus fleet and sell them on an on-line auction site.

Superintendent John Harper said that the system would be selling the 72-passenger buses on Govdeals.com, a company that specifically deals with government-owned items, in hopes to get the best deal.

“When we auctioned them [ourselves] we found we didn’t get as much for the buses than we got off of Govdeals,” said Harper. “That’s why we are staying with Govdeals. We’re really at the mercy of what people bid for them.”

The buses were purchased in 1999 and have around 200,000 miles. Harper said that even with the amount of mileage, the buses have been greatly maintained and serviced since the school system purchased them.

“The state will give you some funds for buses on a 10-year cycle. In other words, when we buy a bus, they’ll give us a little bit of money every year for 10 years, [and] then they won’t give us anymore on that particular bus,” added Harper. “Then it’s up to us to try and maintain it and provide it to make sure it’s a safe bus.”

Harper added that it has been 2 or 3 years since the last time the county schools have sold buses.

Currently, similar buses on Govdeals.com are being auctioned off around $450 to $6,190 per bus.

Also at the meeting:

• The board discussed the elimination of service provider of 403(b) and 457 mutual fund investment plans. Harper the system would be eliminating Primerica Financial Services as providers because officials have been unhappy with service provided. Harper said that Primerica has not followed specific protocol asked by the system.

• The board also discussed a revised 2011-2012 school calendar, which includes the five furlough days. The furlough days for the 2011-2012 include: Oct. 6, April 28 and 29, and May 22 and 23. Harper said the furlough days affect pre- and post-planning but does not student instructional days.

• The board discussed amending its recommendation to allow Horace Mann to offer auto insurance to system employees. Horace Mann is approved to offer auto insurance through the system’s payroll deductions and Harper said they currently offer other financial products to the system.

• Harper announced that millage rates for the county are still being discussed and the board should have a final report sometime in August.

The board is set to hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday.