The RSU 40/MSAD 40 facilities committee voted 6–0 to recommend that the full school board authorize a lease-purchase of a new school bus priced at $180,822.95. The committee heard that the vehicle is an 84-seat flat‑nose model with factory‑installed interior and exterior cameras and a radio, and that the financing will require attorney review because the note exceeds $100,000.

Brian (committee member) presented the item and said the finance committee has already recommended the purchase and asked facilities to endorse it. Unidentified Speaker 4, a committee member, provided the price and specification details: “The school bus cost $180,822.95,” and said the package includes cameras and that tariffs added roughly $5,000 to the price.

Members discussed why the flat‑nose bus was chosen. Supporters said the shorter nose improves driver visibility and the higher capacity helps when a route needs to absorb students from another run. A member asked about the cost difference with prior purchases; one speaker said the most recent prior purchase was about $160,000 roughly 18 months earlier and that prices have climbed.

Committee members asked whether the camera suite provides any live heads‑up display for drivers. Brian said the cameras provide 360‑degree interior and exterior coverage but that “that is all going to a DVD recorder,” not a live display for drivers.

The motion to recommend the purchase was moved by Brian (S2) and seconded by Unidentified Speaker 5; the committee approved the recommendation by a 6–0 recorded vote.

Why it matters: the purchase addresses capacity and visibility needs on routes and begins a multi‑year process of upgrading fleet safety equipment. The committee discussion also highlighted operational and training questions that the full board may weigh when it considers financing and long‑term technology rollouts.

Next steps: the facilities committee forwarded the recommendation to the full RSU 40/MSAD 40 board for final authorization and any required legal review of the financing.