PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert’s Board of Education gave the district the sign-off to purchase six 2026 Thomas Minotour 14-passenger school buses to support the Career Counseling Program.
According to Supervisor of Finance and Procurement Sheldon Taylor, the 14-passenger buses offer the school district a “cost-effective and versatile transportation solution.” The buses are more affordable to purchase, fuel and maintain than standard school buses, while also meeting higher safety standards than passenger vans. The vans can also be equipped for compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The buses will be used to transport students to events, apprenticeships and other career- and program-related activities. Calvert schools are required to have a Career Counseling Program by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The purpose of the Career Counseling Programs is “to provide every public middle and high school student in the state with career exploration and individualized career counseling services, including guiding students in choosing one or more post-college and career readiness (post-CCR) pathways.”
School bus drivers hired to operate the new 14-passenger buses do not need a CDL but will have to undergo specialty training before they can use any vehicles. These multi-function student activity buses cannot be used for transportation to and from school but can eventually be used for activities outside of strictly Career Counseling.
The contract was awarded to Bus Sales & Service of Annapolis for a total of $539,388 and is funded through carryover funding from the FY24–25 Workforce Development Budget.
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What a waste, Calvert turning into Montgomery County.
Wow….the students have to be transported to an event to enhance their career. No doubt these students have their own car…. or mommy will take them. If I were a prospective employer, I’d challenge their motivation to show up for the job. What a total waste of taxpayer funds. Absurd.