Carroll ISD will have two new activity buses joining its fleet. At the Oct. 16 board of trustees meeting the CISD board approved the purchase of two large activity buses for an amount not to exceed $330,000. The cost will be paid using 2017 bond funds. In May, CISD voters approved a $208 million bond that focuses on alleviating capacity issues as well as many upgrades and maintenance projects throughout the district. Part of this package included a plan to replace all 77 of the district's school buses and other vehicles over the next five years with a budget of $7.5 million. "All of the buses are more than 10 years old, with many buses being in the 12- to 18-year range," district staff said. The buses purchased at the Monday meeting will come equipped with seat belts, which is required in buses after recent legislation. The buses will hold up to 44 passengers and will have 10 DVD monitors and will be similar to a standard charter bus. District staff said the buses will be wrapped with the Dragon logo after they are delivered in approximately six months. In the past the board contracted out charter buses to take students to activities, and district staff said the purchase of these buses will replace that expense. The district will replace 18 buses in the first year of the bond program. Although board members said they looked forward to the activity buses, board Vice President Michelle Moore asked about how soon the board could see a motion for regular school buses. District staff said that could happen as soon as the next board meeting. "We're very excited about the buses," board President Sheri Mills said.