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Laredo ISD discusses MOU to lend a bus to Laredo College for CDL testing; trustees flag precedent and liability concerns
Summary
Administrators described a proposed memorandum of understanding to let Laredo College use a district bus as a third‑party examiner training/test site for Texas Department of Public Safety CDL endorsements. Trustees asked about liability, equitable access and the MOU's time limits.
Item 6 on the agenda detailed a proposed memorandum of understanding between Laredo ISD and Laredo College to allow Laredo College to use an LISD bus as a vehicle for a third‑party examiner/driver training program authorized by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Mister Velasquez introduced the request and said the district’s transportation and safety departments reviewed the proposal and that legal counsel had suggested revisions to the MOU. Staff said Laredo College would be responsible for drivers, maintenance, insurance and liabilities for the period they used the bus and that the district does not lack buses but may have more limited driver availability.
Mister Garcia, a district staff member, explained the program’s intent: Laredo College would become a testing/certification site so students and employees could complete endorsements (for example, the passenger endorsement) without waiting extended periods for DPS appointments. Staff said Laredo College had grant funding to offset costs for employees who enroll, and that Laredo College planned to offer weekend classes (Saturday) to accommodate working employees.
Trustees raised multiple concerns: Trustee Juan Ramirez said lending the bus could create a precedent and asked whether other programs would receive equal access; other trustees expressed worry about a district‑branded bus being used by an outside organization during testing and requested limits on the MOU duration. Trustees also asked for clarity on whether training would be computer‑based or hands‑on and whether staff would be required to take the classes; staff said LC instructors are state‑certified and DPS would conduct the driving tests.
Staff noted the MOU language as drafted included a one‑month effective period or until LC’s use of the bus was complete; trustees asked for stronger parameters and for any subsequent MOU to specify a short, defined pilot period and conditions for renewal. Several trustees supported exploring employee access to the training and to use grant funds to cover course costs for employees, provided the schedule accommodated work hours.
No final board action was recorded; staff said they would work with legal counsel to refine the MOU, define dates and conditions and return with clearer terms and safeguards.
