SAN FRANCISCO — A-Z Bus Sales Inc. is working to provide grant funding assistance to California school districts that are looking to buy new or replacement school buses.

While exhibiting at the California School Boards Association’s 2010 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show this week, A-Z Bus Sales is giving attending school board members information on bus funding and financing options, as well as showcasing its complete line of alternative-fuel buses.

A-Z Bus Sales is knowledgeable in various federal and state funding opportunities that offer credits to qualifying school districts that buy CNG, propane or hybrid-electric buses, or schools with Americans with Disabilities Act transportation needs. A-Z Bus Sales representatives are available to review these grant funding options and provide assistance in completing the application forms, company officials said.

“When the Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD) was looking to buy new special-needs school buses to meet its growing population, A-Z Bus Sales was instrumental in reviewing all possible funding sources available,” said David Walthall, director of transportation for the district. “Our sales representative, Matt Essex, recommended funding sources that we had not considered. By utilizing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant and Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee grant, A-Z Bus Sales was ultimately able to provide OMSD with three new school buses, which did not impact our general fund. Matt also worked with us to complete the necessary paperwork and application process.”

A-Z Bus Sales can provide financing options for schools that don’t qualify for grant funding. A-Z Resources, a captive affiliate for A-Z Bus Sales, provides internal financing options for Blue Bird Corp. and Collins Bus units, as well as all makes and models of used buses. A-Z Resources offers lease or finance contracts and flexible payment options as a boutique-style lender. New Blue Bird buses can also be financed through Traxis Financing, the parent corporation for Blue Bird, and A-Z Bus Sales can initiate these applications as well.

“A-Z Bus Sales has historically provided turnkey solutions to buying and maintaining school buses,” said Jim Reynolds, president of the company. “Our commitment to providing customers with a thorough consultation, direct funding and financing assistance is an example of how A-Z Bus Sales adds value to the bus buying process.”