Board approves up to $63,055 for CTE Ag truck; maintenance note, FEMA reimbursements and central‑plant needs discussed
Summary
Trustees approved purchasing an agricultural truck for the district's CTE/FFA program for up to $63,055 from Classic Chevrolet, to be paid from the maintenance note. The board also reviewed the maintenance note balance, FEMA project reimbursements, an estimated $7 million central‑plant HVAC replacement need, and bus‑fleet shortfalls.
The Stafford Municipal School Board on Sept. 22 approved the purchase of an agricultural truck from Classic Chevrolet for an amount not to exceed $63,055, to be paid from the district’s maintenance note. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
CFO Josh Bostick told trustees the current CTE/FFA truck is about 20 years old and no longer suitable for long‑distance transport of animals or program equipment. Staff said the vehicle will support FFA activities and occasional student transport for small groups when appropriate adult supervision is present. Danielle Ferrajoda, the FFA instructor (introduced during the meeting), was identified as the program lead; staff reported the barn currently houses nine animals (including four goats) and the Ag Science program has seven enrolled students. Staff also said 33 students are helping with a special‑needs rodeo later in the week.
The purchase will be charged to the maintenance note. Staff reported the maintenance note’s authorized total is $5 million and the current available balance is about $1.8 million. Trustees discussed ongoing FEMA damage‑repair projects: staff said the district submitted eight projects to FEMA, seven have been approved (obligated) and one was approved earlier that day. FEMA reimburses roughly 75 percent of eligible repair costs; staff said the district’s net share across the projects is approximately $357,000. The district engaged DRS (disaster recovery services) to assist with claims; staff said FEMA will cover DRS costs up to about 5 percent of the total claims.
Board members raised several operational follow‑ups related to the truck purchase: whether the old truck could be sold, whether the new truck would include a tracking device, and where the vehicle would be stored when not in use. Staff proposed storing fleet vehicles with the bus barn/white fleet area and said they would confirm whether a tracking device is included or should be added to the purchase (board discussion suggested a not‑to‑exceed increase to allow adding a tracker if needed).
Trustees also discussed larger capital needs that remain unaddressed: staff said the district’s central‑plant HVAC system is near the end of its useful life and a full replacement was previously estimated at about $7 million; the district has been performing interim repairs after two bond propositions failed. Board members noted transportation challenges: the district has 28 buses, of which staff said 16 are currently operable and the district purchased five buses previously using available funds.
Motion: Approve purchase of an Ag truck from Classic Chevrolet not to exceed $63,055. Mover: Secretary Cesar Montelongo. Second: Trustee Wilkins. Vote: Motion carries, 6-0.
Staff recommended approval as presented and committed to follow up with specifics about tracking hardware and vehicle storage. Trustees asked for continued reporting on FEMA reimbursements and maintenance‑note balances so the board can track reimbursements as projects complete.
