Simi Unified replaces two school buses

The Simi Valley Unified School District board approved the purchase of two new school buses during Tuesday's meeting at the City Council Chamber.

"This is just part of our replacement plan," said Lowell Schultze, the associate superintendent of business and facilities. "We've bought several of them the last few years."

One bus will cost about $105,358 to replace while the other will cost $56,593. The buses will be paid for by grants through the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.

The larger bus from 1989 had 163,000 miles on it, and parts were getting hard to replace, according to Schultze. In 2004, the vehicle was involved in a headon collision on the Santa Susana Pass Road.

The bus was used only for Box Canyon routes and is the largest one allowed on such routes, according to the California Highway Patrol. The request was put in to replace this vehicle because of safety concerns.

The smaller, 15-passenger bus was involved in an accident on Oct. 19, and it was deemed a total loss.

It was one of three vans used to transport students to nonpublic schools.

However, since it has become illegal to purchase vans that seat 15 people and a 10passenger vehicle isn't big enough, the district recommended to the board that it be replaced with a 25-passenger bus.

According to Schultze, Simi Unified has 42 buses in its fleet.

- Eliav Appelbaum