Agreement brings in work, potential income to school district

The transportation department of the Stanwood- Camano School District (SCSD) will be looking under the hoods of the Conway Unified School District’s (CUSD) buses.

The interlocal agreement, passed by the board of directors on Tuesday, to provide school bus maintenance and repair for the neighboring district creates a potential revenue stream.

Fixing and maintaining CUSD’s fleet of seven buses won’t solve the district’s budget issues.

However, any additional revenue helps, said Lee Heinrichs, director of transportation.

According to Heinrichs, the transportation department has adequate time and resources to handle the work.

“We can work around how things are going in the shop and set priorities,” he said.

The deal will provide SCSD mechanics with additional work while helping another school district, said Mike Olson, assistant superintendent of operations.

Conway’s school district was taking its buses to privately owned repair shops.

“We’re helping a partner district that has fewer resources than we do,” said Olson.

Bus driver training services will also be provided.

New driver classroom training and state in-service instruction for CUSD drivers will be provided at no cost so long as participants attend SCSD scheduled training sessions. Eight, four-hour behind-the-wheel sessions, using CUSD vehicles and fuel, will bring in $41 per hour. New driver training courses take place in August.

Loaner buses from SCSD will be rented out at $1 per mile, not including the driver rate. Bulk fuel will be provided at actual cost plus five cents per gallon. Fuel rates will be determined by SCSD based on the most recent invoice paid.

Shop rates for preventative maintenance and repairs will be $45 per hour. Seat repair rates are lower at $20 per hour. Parts will be priced at cost paid by SCSD.

Although the CUSD buses are in “fairly good condition,” said Heinrichs, service is always ongoing.

In other news: • A review of the district’s food service program, Chartwells, is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the board of directors at the next regular school meeting March 16, 7 p.m.

• Lifetouch National School Studios donated $554 from photo commissions to Elger Bay Elementary.

An anonymous donor gave $3,000 to the Stanwood High School Career and Technical Education Department agriculture mechanics program.

Wal-Mart Foundation donated $250 to Cedarhome Elementary from the employee participation program.

Sahara Pizza donated $21 to Stanwood Elementary, $96 to Cedarhome elementary and $72 to Elger Bay Elementary from the pizza night fundraisers.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.