Some speculation: Because stripping the thing, and selling parts, would probably mean more work for the military organization who wants to get rid of it. And if

Some speculation: Because stripping the thing, and selling parts, would probably mean more work for the military organization who wants to get rid of it. And if you'd let a company dismantle the vehicles, and sell it in parts: The customer would again be some part of the military. And they usually require a lot of certification and paperwork to go with all the stuff they sell, after doing all the work to have these used parts tested and re-certified, not much profit might be left, and all money be sunk in the military-spare-parts industry. Much easier to just give them away for free, be no longer responsible for anything related to these vehicles, and claim to have supported the homeland in the fight against terrorism equivalent to $$NEW_PRICE. (apparently the $5000 the school district had paid was only for transportation)