The Department is accepting applications for the School Bus Refurbishment Pilot Program beginning Nov. 16. The program application cycle for fiscal year 2013-14 will remain open as long as funds are available. Refurbishment approvals are based on the order that the signed contract for service is received by the state. Given that, it is important for districts to submit applications early.
Pleases review program information on the Maine Department of Education website before completing an application: www.maine.gov/education/const/trans/refurbish.html. Also, please review the refurbishment service information on the Maine Military Authority website before completing an application: www.mainemilitaryauthority.com/.
The pilot program subsidy can be used toward the contracted services of basic school bus refurbishment. Subsidy is received the year following the service contract date. The minimum subsidy is 30% percent of the base school bus refurbishment price. The maximum subsidy is 70 percent of the base school bus refurbishment price. To see subsidy projections by district, please review this page: www.maine.gov/education/const/trans/debtservbusreferbfy2013.htm. The School Bus Refurbishment Pilot Program was initiated by gubernatorial executive order #24 FY11-12 on Sept. 28, 2011.
The program application is available on the Department website at www.surveymonkey.com/s/busrefurbishment.
The School Bus Refurbishment Pilot Program and the new School Bus Purchase Program are separate state programs. The approval decision for one program does not impact the approval decision on the other program. Districts can apply for and have the potential to receive approval for both programs each year.
If you have questions about the program qualification inspection, contract and service, contact Tim McCabe at 441-5194 or timothy.p.mccabe@us.army.mil. If you have questions about the program application, approval and subsidy, contact Pat Hinckley at 624-6886 or pat.hinckley@maine.gov.