Kalispell Public Schools - Special Board Meeting - July 14th 2026

The Kalispell Public Schools held a special board meeting on July 14, 2026, primarily focused on transportation-related procurement and operational matters. The board reviewed and approved the purchase of four Class E expedition vans and one 48-passenger special education school bus, which was noted to be approximately $100,000 under budget. The discussion included the need for 2.37 additional full-time equivalents (FTEs) to support new and adjusted bus routes, particularly for special education transportation, which involves door-to-door service. The board also discussed route optimization efforts, current use of routing software, and challenges related to coordinating with other districts. Maintenance responsibilities for the new vehicles were confirmed to be managed by the district with a preventive maintenance program in place. Additionally, the board scheduled a forthcoming executive session via Zoom to discuss litigation strategy, with provisions for hybrid participation. The meeting concluded with unanimous votes on the procurement and route approvals.