To interpret the height of the school's roof using the equation \( y = -16t^2 + 40 \), we need to identify what the variables represent in the context of the problem.
In this equation:
- \( y \) represents the height above the ground (in feet),
- \( t \) represents time (in seconds).
The term \( 40 \) in the equation indicates the initial height of the egg protection contraption when \( t = 0 \) (the moment just before the drop). Therefore, when we plug in \( t = 0 \):
\[ y = -16(0)^2 + 40 = 40 \]
This means the height of the roof is 40 feet.
So, the correct interpretation of the height of the school’s roof is 40 feet.