Sheldon ISD bond update: new bus orders, vehicle rotations and a facilities assessment plan

Sheldon ISD trustees heard a broad bond and facilities update that outlined planned transportation purchases, targeted campus repairs and a districtwide facilities‑condition assessment meant to guide future work.

Administration told the board the district received five new buses from a recent bond order and is waiting on a sixth. "We bought 5 buses, and those buses have arrived," the presenter said, and recommended ordering additional 75‑passenger yellow buses and two 14‑passenger white‑fleet vehicles so the district can continue a vehicle rotation and meet diverse transport needs. Officials noted yellow buses require commercial driver licenses and pupil endorsements, while 14‑passenger white vehicles do not.

Staff also proposed replacing older white‑fleet trucks used by maintenance and operations. The presentation identified vehicles with more than about 135,000 miles — including one with more than 195,000 miles and a failed transmission — and recommended replacing one F‑150 and four F‑250s rather than paying to rebuild high‑mileage transmissions.

Trustees reviewed several campus‑level projects to be funded in part by the bond. At Carroll Elementary staff recommended removing deteriorated original vinyl wallcovering and installing a heavier, hospital‑grade vinyl; administration said it obtained three bids and will bring a contract recommendation to the board. At CE King High School administration recommended installing 4'x4' bulletin boards outside classrooms to reduce damage from taping and stapling to walls; the low bid came from Indico.

Cafeteria furniture across the district was another focus. Staff proposed a 20‑year replacement cadence for cafeteria tables because broken latches and heavy lifting have become a recurring operational issue. Administration said purchases will be split between bond funds and Child Nutrition because some cafeteria uses exceed the nutrition program's authority to pay 100% of costs.

At King Middle School, presenters described roof replacements and building repairs across multiple structures and the field house. To plan longer‑term work, administration recommended issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to produce a facility‑condition assessment for buildings older than 20 years. The RFQ will request deliverables that include inflation‑adjusted cost projections so trustees can prioritize projects if bond funds remain or if the district calls a future bond.

The board also received an update on permitting and site work for the new 9th‑grade campus, including three county variance requests to address vehicle egress and traffic patterns near Autumn Path, Sunset Glow and surrounding streets. Presenters said the county limited variances and the district prioritized the most critical relief as it works to minimize congestion during high‑traffic events such as football games.

The board did not take final votes on the larger program of projects during the workshop; staff said specific contracts and action items tied to individual bids and replacement purchases will be brought to a business meeting for formal approval.

What’s next: administration will return to the board with specific purchase contracts and RFQ results for the facility‑condition assessment so trustees can act on recommended projects and budgets.