Northville board authorizes $647,452 in bus purchases and approves $44,026 camera contract funded by 2023 bond

The Northville Board of Education approved two funding items affecting transportation and campus security.

On motion 76, the board authorized the purchase of two Bluebird 77-passenger buses totaling $299,646 and two 53-passenger special-education units totaling $347,806 (combined $647,452) through the MSBO bus purchase program. The motion record shows the purchase will be funded by the district's 2023 bond. District transportation staff explained the fleet-replacement cadence of three to four buses per year and noted the substantial rise in vehicle costs compared with earlier years.

During discussion, a staff member (Speaker 10) said a 77-passenger bus previously cost about $94,000 when he started and that prices have risen substantially; he estimated an electric bus currently costs about $400,000 without grant support and that electric purchases often require charging infrastructure and grant funding to be feasible. Trustees stressed that the special-education units are a distinct and higher-cost need because they include accessibility and specialized equipment.

Separately, on motion 77 the board authorized awarding a security-camera contract to Security 101 for $44,026.16 (funded through Series 1 of the 2023 bond) to expand 40-megapixel camera coverage at the high school (including side perimeters and athletic fields). Technology staff explained the bid process (seven bidders) and said the low bidder was Security 101; staff also described server capacity, existing licenses and vandalism protection for outdoor enclosures.

Superintendent remarks framed the camera purchase as a safety investment, noting a perimeter incident with a vehicle prompted a review of camera coverage and that higher-resolution cameras can speed identification for law enforcement.

What happens next: The district will take delivery per vendor timelines and use bond funds to complete the purchases; the board voted to approve both motions on voice votes and directed staff to carry out procurement and implementation steps.