
Maine School Administrative District 17 Central Office at 232 Main St. in Paris. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat
PARIS — Maine School Administrative District 17 directors voted unanimously Monday to acquire a new school bus to help alleviate transportation challenges.
The board’s Operations Committee recommended a lease/purchase agreement for $141,405 financed over five years through Androscoggin Savings Bank at 5.17% interest.
With West Paris elementary students attending Paris Elementary School, and day treatment programs shifted from Paris Elementary to Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway, the district has placed a higher priority on transportation services. It has increased the number of minivans in its fleet and hired drivers with no commercial driver’s license to transport students from distant parts of the eight-town district with lower populations.
“I would like to make it clear that this is a normal bus that was in last year’s budget,” board Chairman Troy Ripley of Paris said before calling for a vote. “And we’re not coming up with any new monies here.”
During her administrative update, Superintendent Heather Manchester told directors that, as dictated by Maine statute, a letter and operational/educational spreadsheet has been issued to the Maine Department of Education regarding the future use of Agnes Gray Elementary School.
The next step will be for the Maine Department of Education to confirm the costs involved and notify West Paris officials. If they accept the proposed needs and costs, residents there will vote whether to take possession and continue using the school.
West Paris students have attended Paris Elementary School since last February when the 130-year-old school was deemed unsafe and abruptly closed.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.