Pooling of school buses and other vehicles and related purchases by district school boards; transportation services contracts

(1) The department shall assist district school boards in securing school buses and other vehicles for transporting students, contractual needs, equipment, and supplies at as reasonable prices as possible by providing a plan under which district school boards may voluntarily pool their bids for such purchases. The department shall prepare bid forms and specifications, obtain quotations of prices, and make such information available to district school boards in order to facilitate this service. District school boards from time to time, as prescribed by State Board of Education rule, shall furnish the department with information concerning the prices paid for such items, and the department shall furnish to district school boards periodic information concerning the lowest prices at which school buses and other vehicles, equipment, and related supplies are available based upon comparable specifications. (2) If a contract between any district school board and any person, business, or entity to provide the district school board with school bus service for the transportation of students in the district provides that the person, business, or entity shall own, operate, and maintain school buses for such service, the district school board may purchase the number of buses needed for the district through the department and sell them to the person, business, or entity as a part of the contract for such service.