The action taken
The board approved the procurement of nine school buses, paid for by the $117.7 million Proposition A bond.
Per agenda documents, the fleet will include six 77-passenger buses, two 53-passenger buses with wheelchair lifts and one 47-passenger bus. All buses will be equipped with seatbelts.
The buses are also low-emissions compliant propane buses, which officials say support the district's initiative of reducing emissions around campuses.
While the quote for the fleet came in at $1.5 million, Superintendent Jeff Arnett said Director of Transportation Alex Romero was able to utilize grant monies to help offset some of the bond dollars used.
EISD was awarded a $450,000 rebate grant by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the purchase, per agenda documents.
What else?
The board also approved an interior renovation contract for 601 Camp Craft Road, which is the building currently used by the board of trustees for its meetings.
Utilizing 2023 bond funds, the $1.8 million renovation project is set to begin this week and will become the new location of The Learning Center, which is currently located on Westbank Drive.
The board's next meeting March 25, and subsequent meetings, will be temporarily held in the Cedar Creek Elementary cafeteria.
