PHOENIX — As it releases its second wave of Volkswagen (VW) settlement funds, Arizona has approved 22 school districts to receive a total of $8.4 million for new school buses.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced last week that the school districts have received approval for the purchase of 76 diesel and alternative-fuel schools buses. The funding is part of the state’s $38 million plan to provide low-income schools with new school buses, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

“Investing in K-12 education remains a top priority,” Ducey said. “These new dollars will benefit low-income school districts across Arizona, including many in rural areas. And by funding the purchase of new buses, these funds will free up additional resources schools can put toward other important needs.”

As SBF previously reported, Ducey released the school bus replacement plan in June. It includes the purchase of approximately 280 school buses using the VW settlement funds to low-income communities statewide. The plan provides funding to 60% free and reduced lunch school districts, charters and the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind to replace buses with over 100,000 miles and older than 15 years.

During a two-month application period in the fall of 2018, school administrators received four training opportunities, on-demand online training resources, and a direct point of contact for technical assistance during the application process, according to the governor’s office.

In the first wave of funding, as SBF reported in December, 142 diesel and alternative-fuel school buses were awarded to 55 school districts and charter schools at a cost of $15.9 million.

To date, Arizona has approved 77 applications from school districts and charter schools, resulting in $24.4 million awarded for 218 buses, according to the governor’s office.

A third wave of awards is expected to be announced in the near future.

For more information on the plan, go here.