Rio Rancho board approves state-funded price adjustments for buses, joins electric-bus pilot

The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board on Jan. 12 approved two state-funded capital outlay grant adjustments to cover tariff-driven cost increases for previously authorized school bus purchases and agreed to participate in a state electric-bus pilot that includes fully state-funded infrastructure.

Nick Brook, the district—xecutive director for student transportation, presented two grant amendments tied to manufacturing tariffs applied to buses built after September 2025. The first item covered a $10,500 increase related to three buses built after the tariff cutoff; Brook said that increase is fully funded by the state and requires no district funds. The second item described a $10,500 increase associated with an order of 22 buses placed last school year; the district had already received 19 buses and three were affected by the tariff. Board members moved, seconded and approved both grant adjustments by voice vote.

Superintendent Dr. Biese Cleveland said the district has long advocated for more buses and that the electric-bus pilot offered an important opportunity. He told trustees the pilot included payment of 100% of the needed infrastructure by the state, which would enable the district to expand electric buses in the future only if the pilot proves successful and operational adjustments are manageable in Rio Rancho nd more rural routes.

Why it matters: The actions do not add new vehicles to the fleet but reauthorize higher prices due to external tariff changes; the state funding avoids using local dollars. The electric-bus pilot could change long-term fleet planning if it proves operationally feasible in the district's service area.

Details: - Presenter: Nick Brook, Executive Director for Student Transportation. - Grant references in meeting materials: fund 27178-3 (first item) and fund 27178-22 (second item) as provided in the board packet and presented at the meeting. - Funding: Both increases described in the meeting were stated to be fully funded by the state; no district funds were required. - Vote: Motions to approve each grant adjustment were moved and seconded; both were approved by the board.

What—omes next: District transportation staff will proceed with the adjustments authorized by the board and, if the electric-bus pilot proves viable, review options for future fleet investments and routing adjustments to account for charging and range considerations.