New Braunfels ISD faces rising costs for new school buses

During a March 7 school board meeting, the New Braunfels ISD board of trustees discussed a plan to purchase four new school buses to replace older vehicles.

The diesel buses would be equipped with air conditioning and would be the same model purchased by the district in 2021.

Clint McClain, assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the district, said the price for the vehicles has risen significantly since last year due to inflation.

Two firms submitted quotes to provide the buses, and Longhorn Bus Sales was the less expensive of the two with a quote of $501,372 for four vehicles. In 2021, the district paid $439,000 for four buses with the same specifications, McClain said.

“We bought almost the exact same spec bus last year, and it was $15,000 a bus less than it is right now,” he said. “You want to see inflation? There’s a good example there of it.”

Funding for the purchase of new buses was included in the district’s 2018 bond program, and McClain said the fund covers the increased cost.

Board members are expected to vote on the purchase in April, though the estimated time until delivery of the vehicles will be 240-290 days, McClain said.