Crookston Public Schools need a new bus garage, that is not something many who are familiar with the facility are likely to argue, the question is how to make it happen as economically as possible while ensuring transportation is in the best possible situation it can be. For that reason, Superintendent Jeremy Olson worked with the school board to put together a committee with a mix of people who both supported the 2017 referendum and those who opposed it so that they can find a solution that both camps can find acceptable. The 90-minute meeting left Olson with plenty of research to bring back to the committee on a variety of topics.
“I think we have the right people to make a great committee and there asking some good questions for the district to explore as we start the first couple of steps,” said Olson. “I definitely have homework tonight, we have about nine items that I put on what I’m calling a parking lot that need to be researched.”
Olson opened the meeting with the purpose of the committee and objectives, mainly finding a solution to the current bus garage situation. Rick Niemala, Transportation-Building and Grounds Coordinator, provided the committee with the needs of a bus garage including two work bays, room for 18 buses, parts storage, restrooms and possible relocation of the fueling site to the new facility. The current fueling site meets EPA standards for its size and scope. Nick Nicholas first brought up the question of whether there would be a cleanup cost for shutting down the current fueling site. Another consideration brought up by the committee was whether a new fueling station would need to meet higher standards than an older station already in use and what a ballpark cost for a new fueling station would be.
Another portion of the meeting focused on the cost and benefits of owning versus leasing for the school district. Building on the discussion of the EPA standards, it was brought up whether using a garage not owned by the district could be more cost-effective. That discussion included whether a possible non-district garage could be built safely, but without as many regulations as a district-owned facility. During that conversation, Ralph Pester asked if it was possible to use a non-district garage, could a lease to own type situation be set up so the school could eventually take control of the facility.
The ownership versus leasing conversation included whether it saves the district money to own their own buses, which they currently have a hard time finding drivers for or if it would be better to contract bus service. Dietrich Bus Company was thrown out as a possibility, as they have contracts throughout the Midwest including in Grand Forks. A 2008 report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor said it may be more cost effective to have district-provided transportation while nearly half of school districts used contractors for at least half their service. The report also said school districts would benefit from periodically reviewing their student transportation needs and evaluating the most cost-effective way to meet them.
A bus garage, particularly one that would be district-owned would need some sort of air exchange system to make the garage as safe as possible despite the fumes. Chris Cournia, a member of the Crookston Fire Department, suggested Olson and Niemala visit the Crookston Fire Department to learn about the 
Plymovent ® system used in the Fire Hall (pictured to the right). KROX spoke with firefighter Bob Magsam and learned the system has been in place for about nine years and he recently spoke with the Edina Fire Department who just installed a new system at about $8,000 per truck.
“It sounds to me like the fire station has a pretty nice system that would be fairly cost-effective,” said Olson. “Throughout, the committee really focused on wanting to impart good value to our taxpayers and we’re going to go explore that.”
Travis Oliver asked if the current proposed location on the Highland School property the best solution and Chris Trostad was suggested Olson ask Matt Johnson, building official for Crookston, to the committee. Given his position, it is likely Johnson would be the most qualified in Crookston to discuss City Code and zoning. Olson also said he’d like to recommend an architect but thought there were valid concerns and points made on both ends. “Regardless of which position [committee members] are at, we want to make sure it’s cost-effective,” said Olson. “I’m leaning towards recommending an architect to the school board, but a fixed-cost would not have any incentive to increase the price and would also like the school board to look at an interview process, so we have some quality assurance and know what we’re getting.”
Olson said it’s always good to have a committee that’s a lot smarter than you are. “As we talked a little bit about who they were and what their expertise was I was very impressed at the nice cross section we have,” said Olson. “People with experience with building to experience with financing and so forth asking some really good questions.” And he believes the committee members all share a similar vision of wanting to find the best solution for Crookston.
CROOKSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT BUS GARAGE COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING
