District 207 approves two wheelchair-accessible activity buses; school fees unchanged, cap-and-gown contract extended

At its Feb. 13 meeting, the Board of Education for Maine Township High School District 207 approved the purchase of two wheelchair-accessible activity buses under a state contract, extended a cap‑and‑gown contract for two additional years, and voted to keep school fees for 2025–26 unchanged.

The finance committee reported that a yearbook RFP went to a single vendor that will serve all three high schools; the requested per‑book fee was listed as $50 but the final contract cost was not yet known. The district said physical education uniforms went out to bid with no expected price increase and that overall school fees for 2025–26 will remain at $250 (free‑and‑reduced waivers will still apply to materials, excluding optional dues).

On transportation, the board recommended awarding through a state contract (CMS) a purchase of two wheelchair‑accessible activity buses from Southern Bus and Mobility. The presenter stated the buses are 12‑ to 14‑passenger, include wheelchair lifts, and will replace a vehicle taken out of service. The per‑bus price cited in discussion was $98,870, yielding a combined cost of about $197,734, versus the $170,000 amount budgeted for the purchase; presenters said the expense will be paid in the next fiscal year and would be budgeted accordingly.

The board also approved a two‑year extension of the district’s contract with Worldwide Gear Varsity Club Products for sustainable caps and gowns at $15.95 per set; presenters said the product is 100% recycled. The motion to extend the cap‑and‑gown contract and the motion to proceed with the bus purchase were approved by roll call during the meeting.

The district’s investment volatility report for Dec. 21, 2024, showed a market‑value adjustment of roughly $4,000,000 but noted the net result will allow the district to record positive investment income this fiscal year. As the finance presenter put it, “the interest income that we'll be receiving this year will be for the first time in many years, being able to record that as investment income.” The report listed an average return of 2.76% and an average life of 2.35 years; analysts present said they expect interest rates to remain flat or decline slightly to about 2.25%.

No board member objections to the motions were recorded in the public roll calls shown in the transcript.