The Lingleville ISD School Board discussed the need for a new bus during the monthly meeting Thursday, May 8.
Maintenance/ transportation director Rowdy Whitefield presented the board with a quote for a good condition used team bus that includes a three year, 75,000 mile warranty.
Whitefield said since the bus will only be used on paved roads, it “won’t take a beating” like the route buses traveling dirt roads.
LISD Superintendent DeeCee McDougal reported that district hasn’t bought a bus since 2020 and budgets money for a bus replacement every year so the unused money goes back into the general fund on the years where one isn’t bought. She added that the district could buy the $150,000 bus and still have seven months of operation security in the fund balance. (Districts are said to be financially healthy with three months in reserve.)
Board members agreed the purchase was needed but asked for a price quote for a new route bus for comparison.
The board was first briefed on bus woes during the facilities and maintenance report as Whitefield said district’s white bus broke down in Grand Prairie while students were at regional UIL competition.
Principal Brian Sanders bragged on the LISD students following a real world simulation run by AgriLife where careers are discussed and students get to practice activities like buying insurance. Sanders said the agents commended the students for their behavior and performance during the event.
Sanders also reported that enrollment was at 277 with a 95.92% attendance.
Board members unanimously voted to reschedule the summer board meetings to July 24, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28.
They also voted to approve a 2025-26 interlocal agreement with the Region 11 Benefits Cooperative for employee health insurance and discussed setting the next round of board training after the legislative session closes so they can be briefed on changes.