Suwilaawks Community School will be riding in style with the purchase of its very own bus.
The Coast Mountains School District board of education voted to loan Suwilaawks $21,950 for the 20-passenger bus, with the agreement that the school would pay the district back over the next two years.
The in-house bus will support the school's community involvement and after-school program, and save the school money in the long run, according to the proposal presented to the board.
“Currently the school transportation expenses are considerable utilizing the local bus company,” reads the school's proposal, which was presented to the board June 12. “An in-house bus would present a more feasible and cost-efficient solution for student transportation who otherwise have limited opportunities.
Rather than wait to fundraise the money, Suwilaawks opted to ask the board for the loan because “a unique opportunity through a local dealership” presented itself.
The school plans to pay for insurance, gas and maintenance costs through school fundraisers.
And the decision happened to fall on the same night that Suwilaawks' student, self-taught pianist Clifton Ridley, performed for the board.