View FileMarch 25, 2003 to American Samoa Special Education Division Director Moeolo Vaatausili (MS Word)
Dated March 25, 2003Mr. Moeolo VaatausiliDirector Special Education DivisionAmerican Samoa Department of EducationPago Pago, American Samoa 96799Dear Mr. Vaatausili:This is in response to your fax dated February 27, 2003 asking whether American Samoa can use Federal formula grant funds available to American Samoa under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Part B) to purchase 2 wheelchair buses, 3 vans, and 2 sport utility vehicles, which will be used to replace 2 wheelchair buses and 5 vans/buses that were manufactured from 1992-1995. You quote the following estimated costs for these vehicles, based upon bids that you solicited from local dealers: 2 wheelchair buses (at a cost of approximately $61,500.00 each); 3 12- passenger vans (at the cost of approximately $36,000.00 each); and 2 sport utility vehicles (in the price range of $28,000.00-$36,500.00 each).In a subsequent fax, you stated that the vehicles you plan to purchase with Part B formula grant funds are needed because special education services that were provided in a special education center are now provided in public schools island-wide, and the number of children who are provided with special education services in accordance with an individualized education programs (IEP) has increased. According to your fax, it is a struggle to schedule transportation for students when the old vehicles need repairs. The new vehicles are needed to meet the transportation needs/s/ Thomas B. Irvin forStephanie S. LeeDirectorOffice of Special Education Programs
