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RSU 40 reports parent bus‑tracking app rollout, new bus purchase and rising van‑fleet pressures
Summary
District staff said a parent app for bus tracking will start with a Waldoborough beta and then stagger deployment; the district also clarified the recent flat‑nose bus purchase cost and described mounting van mileage and a request for additional drivers/vans.
Staff reported a staged deployment of a parent bus‑tracking app: a beta launch in Waldoborough followed by staggered rollouts to other towns to catch and repair any bugs before full deployment. Sarah Davis and staff led the brief demo and described configurable alerts (five‑, ten‑ and 15‑minute notices) for families.
On fleet updates, staff described taking delivery of a new flat‑nose bus (Bus 9) with LED lighting and added safety features. The committee clarified the price: when cameras, radios and tariffs are included, the total approached the mid‑$100,000s; staff said the new bus did not cost twice as much as the prior purchase and explained the bank and attorney processes involved for loans over $100,000.
Members also discussed van transportation strains. The district currently transports roughly 120 students by van or small bus and is adding several four‑year‑old riders who require five‑point harnesses. Staff reported long multi‑town routes (for example, Union→Rockland→Liberty→Friendship) that increase mileage and accelerate vehicle wear (transmission failures), and requested additional vans and drivers to reduce double‑runs and lost classroom time.
The committee did not authorize fleet purchases at the meeting but asked staff to return with specifics on the number of required vans, cost estimates and safety considerations for little buses versus vans.
