CFISD plans to buy 14‑passenger buses for special‑needs routes using one‑time federal propane rebate

Cypress‑Fairbanks ISD transportation officials told trustees at the May 1 work session they plan to purchase seven 14‑passenger buses for special‑needs routes using a one‑time federal propane rebate the district has claimed.

Darren, transportation staff, said the district has added 11 special‑services routes since the start of the year and expects the trend to continue. He told the board the smaller 14‑passenger vehicles do not require a commercial driver’s license, which widens the pool of eligible drivers and helps fill routes amid driver recruitment challenges.

On funding, Darren said the district researched and applied for a federal propane excise tax rebate and can recapture three years’ worth of excise taxes under the program. He told the board that the rebate will yield about $1 million in one‑time funds this year; the rebate program was not renewed for future years, so the money is a one‑time source.

District staff proposed using the rebate dollars for the bus purchase because bond funds were not available for the vehicles. Trustees expressed support, noting that freeing some CDL‑required drivers from special‑education routes could help staffing across the system. No formal vote was recorded at the work session; the bus purchase items appeared on the consent agenda for board consideration.

Trustees asked staff to continue coordination on routes and staffing and to return final procurement details for the consent‑agenda approval process.