Board approves five-year lease to buy three 72-passenger buses

The Berkshire Local School Board authorized the purchase of three 72-passenger buses and approved a five-year municipal lease to finance the purchase.

Clerk read the motion: "So motion to authorize the purchase of 3 72 passenger buses through the House Schools Council Cooperative Bus Purchase from Rush Truck Centers for $129,007.49 per bus and to authorize the treasurer and superintendent to enter into a 5 year municipal lease at the rate of 4.784% with Santander." The board voted by roll call to approve the motion.

Board members discussed the decision in the context of rising vehicle prices and a bus in need of costly repairs. The clerk explained dealers have raised prices and predicted an additional $16,000–$20,000 increase next year due to emissions regulations, and recommended buying now to avoid higher future costs. "Last time we bought a bus, it was 94,000. They are now almost $130,000 a piece," the clerk said.

Concerns about short-term cash flow surfaced. One board member asked about near-term financial stress: "I guess, what's your take on our short term financial issues? I mean, our cash flow problems over the next 5 years." The clerk replied that this year's payments are covered and described a plan to stagger purchases and payments across the next three years to manage budget impact.

The motion passed on a roll-call vote with affirmative responses from the attending members.

The board directed the treasurer and superintendent to complete the lease paperwork and return to the board with finalized contract documents as required.