The Menifee Union School District took another step toward expanding transportation services during a June 16 board meeting, approving a new transportation director with plans to add buses and passenger vans to its fleet.
Edward Ayala, who brings 19 years of experience in transportation, was approved as the district’s new director of transportation.
“I am honored to be here today to take on such a tremendous responsibility,” Ayala told the board. “I have a lot of energy and passion for this type of work, and I feel very welcomed from the community. I will dedicate all of my service to our kiddos.”
The move comes as the district continues rolling out a multi-phase transportation plan introduced earlier this year. District officials previously said the plan is designed to bring more transportation services in-house, reduce reliance on outside vendors, and expand access to transportation for students.
As part of that effort, board members also approved plans to add several new vehicles to the district’s transportation fleet. The purchases include school buses, electric passenger vans, ADA-accessible electric passenger vans and gasoline passenger vans. Together, the vehicles represent more than $1.1 million in purchases and lease agreements.
According to district documents, the school buses will have a capacity of up to 76 passengers each, while the electric and gasoline vans are designed to transport smaller groups of students.
Earlier this year, district officials said the transportation plan would eventually expand home-to-school transportation services and create a regional field trip transportation network in partnership with neighboring school districts.
