Georgetown ISD approves nearly $3.62 million to purchase 21 school buses

GISD approved the purchase, which comes from unspent 2021 bonds, for up to about $3.62 million. A representative from GISD said the purchase will cost around $3.5 million.

On March 30, GISD estimated the cost of replacing all 23 buses to be $4.3 million under the assumption that the purchases would be made across three years. By purchasing 21 buses now, the district expects to avoid an estimated $25,000 increase in the price of a new bus under emissions regulations set to take effect in 2027. GISD will save an estimated $500,000 by making the purchase now, Pruett said.

A closer look

Pruett said the two remaining buses that will not be replaced with the approved purchase have the lowest mileage out of the buses without three-point seat belts.

“They’re large special needs buses that make them particularly valuable to hold on to,” Pruett said. “Those would be good candidates for potential grant funds if those are made available."

What they’re saying

“For us to be able to do this now and have something that will last easily hundreds of thousands of miles, it's a benefit to the community,” GISD Superintendent Devin Padavil said.