RUMFORD — The Regional School Unit 10 board of directors Monday approved the purchase of a 2016 school bus.

Superintendent Deb Alden said the district has $50,000 to purchase a used bus, but Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Director Scott Holmes had found a 2016 model that he felt was “really worth $65,000.”

Holmes said the district will receive a fuel tax rebate from the state for $18,500, which would “be more than enough to pay for any excess” for the 2016 bus.

“Because 60 percent of our buses are 2009 and older, I’m trying to purchase some newer school buses that are used,” Holmes said. “My goal is to provide the safest and most economical transportation. If I can save money on maintenance costs by having newer buses, that’s what I’d like to do.

Also, the board has hired:

• Nathan Vlahakis as a Buckfield Junior-Senior High School math teacher. He is a graduate of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and his most recent teaching position was at Harpswell Coastal Academy.

• Karri Hall as a first-grade teacher for Meroby Elementary School in Mexico. Her most recent position was as a teacher at Andover Elementary School.

• Sean Scribner as a fourth-grade teacher for Meroby Elementary School. His most recent position was as a teacher at Old Orchard Beach Elementary School.

• Duane Dorion as a math teacher at Mountain Valley High School. His most recent position was as a math teacher at Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico.

• Brian Carrier as district technology coordinator. He has worked for RSU 10 for 14 years in the technology department.

• Brian Cavanaugh as part-time assistant special education director. He holds an administrative position at the University of Maine at Farmington.

• Michelle Boucher-Ladd as a special education teacher at Meroby Elementary School. She was a lead teacher at Holy Savior School in Rumford last year.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Three new board members, Chad Culleton of Hartford, left, Abbey Rice of Rumford and Ashley Derouche of Mexico, joined the RSU 10 board on Monday. They were elected in June. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)