The Boyle County Board of Education approved a request to purchase two new air-conditioned buses for the district — a 72-passenger and a 34-passenger — on Tuesday, for a total of $193,445.

Besides the Blue Bird buses purchased, members heard two other options at the meeting at Perryville Elementary School:

• a 78-passenger bus and a 34-passenger bus, both made by Blue Bird, for a total of $221,385; and

• an 84-passenger bus and a 34-passenger bus, both made by Thomas, for a total of $225,377.

All of the 34-passenger buses under consideration have wheelchair lifts, said Chris Holderman, assistant superintendent and director of operations and of pupil personnel, something that’s important for the special needs students the smaller-sized bus would be serving.

The 72-passenger plan was recommended by those in the transportation garage, said Superintendent Mike LaFavers.

However, he and Holderman said they would like to see the district purchase another 84-passenger Thomas bus someday. The district purchased two last year, which were used by sports teams and other school groups taking longer trips.

“Is the Thomas bus a want or a need? If you tell me it’s a need, that’s one thing … Do we have a need to warrant the $30,000 difference?” Board member Jesse Johnson asked.

Holderman said the fact that all three options included air conditioning was a big deal for students.

“They’re all good buses. We’ve never had regular buses with air conditioning,” he said.

LaFavers said there had been occasions when both of the district’s 84-passenger buses had been used at the same time, but it was very rare and it was unlikely that they would actually need three in service at once. The 72- and 74-passenger buses would serve the district’s needs, he said.

Holderman said drivers didn’t like how 84-passenger buses handle on turns.

The board also heard a presentation from Perryville Elementary School Principal Chris Holderman about the school. 

Also, Denise Keene presented the 2016-17 audit and told board members that most districts aren’t as healthy as Boyle County. The complete report will be posted on www.boyle.kyschools.us.