Goodrich- The district is buying two new school buses.
Keeping with their tradition of buying two new buses each year to keep a rotation of newer vehicles in the fleet, the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of decision.
Both 2008, 71 passenger buses are being purchased from Capital City Bus of Lansing, at a cost of $135,142 per bus, through the Michigan School Business Officials/ Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation bus purchasing program.
Superintendent Kimberly Hart said purchasing the busses through participation in the MSBO/MAPT was the most cost effective was to make the purchase.
Business manager Linda DeCamp said by making the decision to buy the buses prior to April 2, the district saved $4,809 per bus, because the engines being put in buses purchased after that time cost more due to emissions standards.
While at least one person in attendance at the March 26 board meeting questioned the need to spend money on the buses, the board cited safety concerns and a necessity to maintain the fleet as being among the reasons for their decision.
‘If we are going to have a transportation service, it must be maintained,? said trustee Michael Thorp.