Mathews Superintendent of Schools David J. Holleran has requested that the county fund two new school buses for the upcoming school year, explaining that a special needs bus is the priority, if only one bus can be funded.

Holleran’s request came during the county supervisors’ March 26 meeting. He said that if a letter of intent to purchase were sent before April 30, the prices for the two buses—$88,971 for a regular 65-passenger bus and $101,369 for a special education bus—would be locked in and no invoice would be received until after July 1. However, if the county were to wait until July 1 to approve the purchases, the bid could rise by 2 to 5 percent.

If the county finds it can’t afford to purchase a new bus, transportation supervisor Clyde Royals said, the county would not be obligated to purchase it.

Supervisors chair Edwina Casey asked why the last 65-passenger bus that was purchased was equipped with "a fancy stereo system."

Royals explain...