[SchoolFinance] school van

Tue Feb 3 15:19:20 EST 2026

Ditto
If we hire a van driver, they follow all the same expectations (drug
testing, physical, etc) that are bus drivers do--they just don't need a CDL.
We like to have some sort of logo on the van- to notify drivers that it is
a school vehicle.
We also equip them with cameras.
If it is a part of the budget process, the approval to purchase is not
needed---if you didn't already budget for them, Board approval would be the
best way to go for transparency.
I believe it is better to own- then you don't need to worry about the lease
miles.  I also don't know what it would take for a school to lease- that
would probably be a legal question.

*~Thanks,*

Dawn Blanchard

Director of Personnel & Finance

she/her/hers

(207)-319-1950
dblanchard at brunswicksd.org
www.brunswicksd.org

[image: facebook]
<https://www.facebook.com/Brunswick-School-Department-896342617067005/>

On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM Krol, Gabrielle <gabrielle.krol at msad52.org>
wrote:

> I agree with everything that Sherry said.  We have MANY vans and have
> hired van drivers due to district need!  The only difference is that we
> typically budget for them annually- but that still goes to the board for
> approval.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 2:07 PM Sherry Moody <smoody at mcst8.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi Lisa,
>>
>> Here are my answers. We have two min-vans and a multi-functional 14
>> passenger "bus."
>>
>> Van and liability insurance - *Our insurance provider had no issue
>> adding any of these vehicles to our school's policy*
>> Maintenance - Other than typical vehicle maintenance, was there anything
>> additional or special details that you needed to have done to the van? *Nothing
>> that I am aware of... just routine vehicle maintenance.*
>> RFP or not - Did you do a RFP or was the amount below the threshold? *We
>> did not do an RFP but we did solicit quotes from area dealerships - we
>> ended up with used vans in very good condition*
>> Approval from School Board - Did you need to get approval first? *Yes*
>> Staff training; license/background checks - What do you require of your
>> drivers? *We do routine background checks and keep a copy of their
>> driver's license on file*
>>
>> Does anyone know if it is better to own or lease?  *We own all our
>> vehicles*
>>
>> If there is anything else that I need to know, please tell me :)  *Our
>> vans are a lifesaver since we have had an issue finding bus drivers*
>> ----
>> Sherry Moody, Business Mgr
>> Mid-Coast School of Technology
>> 1 Main Street
>> Rockland, ME 04841
>> (207) 594-2161
>> www.mcst8.org
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM Lisa Swift <lswift at veaziecs.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello,
>>>   I am reaching out to those schools that have school vans. We are
>>> looking to possibly purchase or lease a van to transport to Stillwater
>>> Academy, KidsPeace and Bangor Regional Program.  I am wondering if someone
>>> has a list of everything that needs to be done in order to own a van, such
>>> as:
>>> Van and liability insurance - Were you able to add these with your
>>> current policy holders? Is there any information about this that you think
>>> I should know?
>>> Maintenance - Other than typical vehicle maintenance, was there anything
>>> additional or special details that you needed to have done to the van?
>>> RFP or not - Did you do a RFP or was the amount below the threshold?
>>> Approval from School Board - Did you need to get approval first?
>>> Staff training; license/background checks - What do you require of your
>>> drivers?
>>>
>>> Does anyone know if it is better to own or lease?  Where we are right in
>>> the middle of all these out of district schools we are looking at only 35
>>> miles a day at the most.
>>>
>>> If there is anything else that I need to know, please tell me :)
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance for your help!
>>> Lisa Swift
>>> Business, Payroll and Human Resource Manager
>>> Veazie School Department
>>> 1040 School Street
>>> Veazie, ME 04401
>>> P: (207)947-6573 ext. 309     F: (207)947-6570
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>
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>
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