The School Board is considering the possible approval of a $66,000 gift on behalf of resident Dwight Johnson and the Athletic Booster Club to retrofit the Falcon travel bus with new seating and safety features, as well as a decorative “wrap” to display the school name and mascot.

Johnson, along with Athletic Director Mike Briguglio, presented details for the proposed safety enhancements during the Sept. 10 board meeting.

“My motto is that we should always strive to get better,” began Briguglio.

“Here at Fountain Hills High, we’ve had recent improvements in athletics including the weight room, the press box and trophy case, and of course the field.”

When it comes to the proposed travel bus retrofit, Johnson suggests the installation of “Greyhound-style” seating, as well as a decorative wrap, or new paint job.

Briguglio argued that the safety and comfort of local athletes would be a primary focus for the changes.

“If you’re above 5’9, a standard school bus is not a comfortable or safe way to spend three hours of travel,” Briguglio continued.

“Currently, our bigger athletes have to put their legs out in the aisle or worse. This retrofit would allow them to travel with plenty of room and with seatbelts.”

Briguglio stated that he also sees Fountain Hills as a brand, and that such a bus would serve the double purpose of advertising for the local district, showing Arizona communities that athletics are a point of pride at FHHS.

Johnson reiterated the points of comfort and safety as being good reasons for going ahead with the retrofit, as well as a lack of cost to the district. Teaming up with the Booster Club, Johnson said that these upgrades would be a gift from a non-profit foundation he helps head as well as the local booster club.

“Our buses are safe, but we can enhance that,” Johnson said.

“This bus would say that we care about our school and our community at large. “

FHUSD transportation head Robert DeWolf stated that, while the enhancements themselves would not cost the district, upkeep of the wrap (expected to last about five years) would need to fall on the district budget or a future donation.

He also pointed out that the current sports travel bus is seven years old, and likely would not last the district more than three years.

The district currently has a handful of new buses planned for purchase courtesy of bond monies, to which board member C.T. Wright suggested turning one of those vehicles into the new Falcon bus for sports and event travel.

Board member Melanie Anderelli said she would like to see a cost breakdown and calendar of any expected upkeep, were the board to approve the enhancements.

Concern was also brought up in regards to how priority would be determined if two teams played away games on the same day.

Further discussion and a vote on the matter is planned for a future board meeting.