Allen Community College is one step closer to getting its commercial driver’s license training program off the ground.
Trustees approved Tuesday the purchase of a pair of used Kenworth trucks, as well as a pair of 53-foot trailers for a combined $193,236.
The college should learn within the next 10 days whether it was successful in a grant application to cover the equipment costs, noted Tara Lindahl, Allen’s dean of academic affairs.
Dante Powell, program director, has targeted an October launch, and has done much of the research for vehicles and equipment, and is in the process of determining where the driving portion of the classes will be focused.
He found the two 2023 Kenworth T680 trucks at MHC Kenworth North, out of Kansas City, Mo., for $165,296. The trucks come complete with raised-roof sleepers, and have 269,000 and 273,000 miles on the odometer, respectively. Both will come with necessary Department of Transportation certification.
Having the sleeper berths is important, Powell previously told the Register, because it allows instructors to work with multiple students at a time, thus allowing for larger enrollment.
Lindahl said three students are enrolled, with four more in the pipeline, and more expected as the program gets started.
The trucks include an after-market warranty, trustees noted.
The Great Dane Van trailers were manufactured in 2014 and come from Great Dane Trailer Sales in Springdale, Ark., for a combined $27,000.
Trustee Jenny Spillman questioned the need for two trucks and trailers.
The justification is that it allows for continuous enrollment, and the ability to switch out vehicles if one needs repairs.
Additionally, having two trucks and trailers allows for potential expansion, if Allen were to offer CDL courses somewhere else.
Lindahl noted the grant application has already been submitted, and that buying the equipment now will have no bearing on whether the grant is successful.
“I have no problem with buying it, whether we get the grant or not,” Trustee Vicki Curry said.
A STEADY stream of complaints about speed bumps has the college looking for a better method of containing speeds in its parking lot.
The speed bumps were installed at the behest of former ACC President Bruce Moses, whe.
