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Board moves two hazardous Highway 36 bus stops to community lots and approves a used bus purchase
Summary
Trustees approved relocating two bus stops off Highway 36 to reduce driver and student risk after staff documented near‑misses and illegal passes; the board also authorized purchasing one used bus using budgeted funds and a $100,000 district contribution.
The Gatesville ISD board approved two transportation actions after hearing a staff presentation on driver safety and fleet replacement.
First, staff presented photographs and ride‑route observations showing two bus stops on Highway 36 with poor sight lines and steep grades. Drivers reported close calls with passing 18‑wheelers and staff recorded 10 illegal passes of stopped buses during a recent sample afternoon. Staff recommended relocating both stops to off‑highway community parking lots — including the First Baptist Community Church lot — to remove the stops from the highway. Trustees discussed the tradeoff of increased travel time for some students versus improved safety and voted to approve the relocations by voice vote.
Second, the board authorized purchasing one used bus to keep the district's 10‑year fleet‑replacement plan on track. Staff said the district had budgeted for replacement and had $100,000 available from local funds; examples of a comparable used bus were cited at about $95,000. Trustees approved moving forward with the purchase through an approved vendor list (Buy Board/TIPS equivalent).
Both actions were advanced as safety and operational priorities: staff emphasized driver concern for the highway stops and outlined the logistics of moving the stops into community lots; for the bus purchase, staff noted parts obsolescence on some newer vehicles and the pragmatic advantages of a low‑mileage used bus in the current budget year.
