Board of Education approves transportation facility
October 23, 2012
Purchase of existing facility will save district approximately $800,000
Monday evening (Oct. 22), the District 308 Board of Education approved a recommendation by Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt to purchase a building to house the district’s transportation department—a move that likely will save up to $800,000 what was previously allocated to construct a new transportation facility.
Last year the board allocated $2.7 million to build a new transportation facility on its current site. Vendor bids for the construction of the new facility were requested at two separate times by the board. Bids were higher than anticipated, so a more economical solution was sought.
The 16,000 square-foot building is located at 55 Stonehill Road in Oswego. It is estimated that the facility will require some building improvements and parking upgrades over time, Dr. Wendt noted.
“Our transportation employees are some of the finest people I have met, and I appreciate their efforts to ensure students are safely transported to and from school and school events,” said Dr. Wendt. “This purchased facility will not only meet the immediate needs of School District 308, but our investment positions the school district to manage long-term student transportation needs well beyond the year 2020. Compared to the original new construction plan and considering anticipated upgrades to the facility, we met these needs with an existing facility right here in Oswego. This is another great day for School District 308.”
The district’s current transportation service is housed within a 3,300 square-foot temporary trailer unit at 100 Plank Road, just south of the tennis courts at Oswego High School. In 2003, four mobile units were purchased and installed at the site as a two-to-three year solution to address the district’s growing transportation needs. In 2006, residents passed a building bond referendum, which included plans for a larger transportation facility.
The new facility will help to alleviate traffic congestion around the south parking lot at Oswego High School, addressing a known student safety concern.
The district transportation department maintains a fleet of 118 vehicles and employs approximately 180 staff members, which includes bus drivers, bus monitors, crossing guards, mechanics and office staff. The bus mechanics currently conduct their operations off site, near the intersection of Route 71 and Plainfield Road. The new building will allow the mechanics to join their fellow employees at the new site so all District 308 transportation operations will be housed under one roof
“The purchase of this building along with the required modifications will cost the district at least $800,000 less than the original budgeted amount,” said Board President Bill Walsh. “This significant cost avoidance is another example of the administration working with the board to provide our employees the best resources possible within our financial constraints. The staff, teachers, administration and board members are continuously working to insure that every tax dollar spent is truly needed for the betterment of the education system. Through this investment, we are insuring that our employees have a safe and respectable work environment for many years to come.”