Commerce – The Commerce School Board addressed the possible purchase of new buses when it met Monday night.
Board members expressed a desire to commit to the purchase of two new buses per year to maintain a modern fleet.
The Board had allocated $160,000 towards the purchase of two new buses for the 2008-2009 school year. However, it was recommended those buses include cameras and air conditioning, costing an additional $11,764, for a total of $171,764.
Interim Superintendent Larry Johnson recommended the board consider a lease-purchase plan to add five to six new buses to the fleet immediately for approximately the same cost as an outright purchase of two new buses.
Following a lengthy discussion, the Board authorized the District to purchase either two new buses, or participate in a lease-purchase plan at a cost no greater than $173,000 per year for the next three years.