Students in Taylor ISD will soon enjoy riding five new buses, thanks to a grant awarded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
“I received an email with information about the Texas Clean School Bus Program,” said Carl Caldwell, TISD Transportation Director. “They were offering grant money for districts that were interested in replacing some of their old buses. We immediately went to work researching the information needed and began the application process.”
A few months after submitting the application, a letter arrived notifying the district they had been approved.
“It could not have come at a better time,” said Caldwell. “With the price of everything going up, and older buses requiring a lot of maintenance to keep them running, it will certainly be a blessing to the district to be able to replace those busses that have been here for such a long time.”
The grant requires that funds be used to replace buses that are 2007 or older and are still operational. The district must provide documentation that for each new bus purchased with this grant money, an older bus was disposed of without profit. Taylor ISD will donate the old buses to a local salvage company.
“I am very proud of Mr. Caldwell for seeking this grant to replace aging equipment and creating a savings for the taxpayers of Taylor ISD,” said Taylor ISD Superintendent Dr. Devin Padavil.
Plans call for ordering 2024 models with 72 passenger capacity that will include seatbelts. Caldwell said the manufacturer’s wait time is currently over a year. Still, he is looking forward to seeing the new buses roll onto the lot.
“I’m very excited,” said Caldwell. “Some of the bond money was dedicated to the purchase of new buses, and now that money can be spent on other needs. We will have new buses for our students, and that creates a sense of pride in our children.”
