The Oregon‑Howell R‑III School District is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding through Missouri’s Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, commonly known as the VW Bus Grant. This statewide program, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, provides grant funding to help school districts replace older diesel buses with cleaner, more efficient models.
Through this grant, Oregon‑Howell R‑III replaced one of its aging diesel school buses—powered by an older‑generation engine—with a new, low‑emission model. The grant covers 100% of the replacement cost, meaning no financial burden to the district or taxpayers.
As part of the grant requirements, the district’s old diesel bus will be permanently removed from service to ensure long‑term environmental benefits. Missouri’s VW Trust program is part of a statewide effort to reduce air pollution and invest in cleaner transportation options for schools and communities.
The Oregon‑Howell R‑III School District is proud to participate in this initiative and looks forward to putting the new bus into service for the 2026–2027 school year.