Dozens of school districts, bus companies and other entities will use their share of the EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants to purchase 2,700 low- and zero-emission buses. About 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states will benefit from the initiative, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, the EPA announced this week.

“We’re once again accelerating the transition to electric and low-emission school buses in America, helping to secure a healthier future where all our children can breathe cleaner air,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement. “I’ve sat next to students on their very first clean school bus ride and their excitement reflects the power of good policy.”

More from DA: How rebranding has this superintendent living in the moment—for now

Among the biggest award winners are Boston Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, the Dekalb County School District, Los Angeles USD and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which each received about $20 million to upgrade their bus fleets.

Asthma and other conditions exacerbated by diesel bus emissions cause students to miss school, a problem that disproportionately affects communities of color and Tribal communities, the EPA says. The agency initially made $400 million in grants available but doubled the amount because of districts’ heavy demand for electric and low-emission vehicles.

In 2022, the EPA awarded schools over $875 million in Clean School Bus Program rebates, which allowed 372 school districts to replace 2,366 vehicles. The agency is accepting applications for the 2023 clean bus rebate program until Jan. 31.

The post See which districts will share $1 billion in new clean school bus funding appeared first on District Administration.

School transportation is a massive undertaking in the United States, and the system has worked well for many years. Since the pandemic, various forces have created a pervasive problem where almost all school districts face challenges with retaining experienced drivers and attracting new talent. This article will explore strategies and considerations to attract bus drivers given the current labor market with an eye toward the future and a new employment model for bus drivers.

The challenge of retaining employees in just about any career area is real and has forced changes in most organizations. These same post-pandemic workforce challenges—along with some unique factors—influence school transportation. Historically, bus drivers work irregular hours, often on a split shift, and have an enormous responsibility that, increasingly, is not aligned with the compensation available in most school districts.

The abundant availability of other higher-paying driver jobs further erodes the number of school bus drivers. Reimagining the employment model for bus drivers will be critical for school districts to start reducing the number of driver vacancies. As districts enter into collective bargaining processes, there is probably no better time to consider these issues.

New employment model for a new era

As school employees increasingly choose careers outside of education and other potential employees choose careers in different fields, school districts must recognize the importance of competitive wages and benefits packages to retain employees at all career stages. School bus drivers carry the most precious cargo in every community and should be compensated at a level consistent with that responsibility.

While offering pay increases and benefits can make the work more appealing and better match the level of responsibility, this is only a starting point. School districts must look to the future and recognize that there is not much of a future if we fail to attract a new generation of drivers. The reality is that nationally, the average school bus driver is 57 years old, with only 5% of all bus drivers under 40 (Zippia, 2022). There are few occupations with an average worker age nearing 60. The ability to meet the needs of future drivers will be a crucial consideration when negotiating employment contracts.

More from DA: How rebranding has this superintendent living in the moment—for now

Considering that older workers value most of the same things in a workplace as younger workers, it is unnecessary to look at negotiations as a generational dichotomy. Instead, a holistic evaluation of workplace conditions can lead to the best proposals at the bargaining table while recognizing some minor differences.

What generational differences exist in the workplace that can considered in the negotiating process? Generation Z and Millennials value a workplace that allows for an excellent work-life balance, opportunities for growth, mental health support, and alignment with their values (Peterson, 2023) (O’Boyle, 2021).

Older workers value the same things but also seek to share what they know. Older workers also tend to be the most dedicated employees in any organization (Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 2015) but they often have concerns about age-related medical conditions. The good news for most school districts is that real progress can be made in these critical areas that can attract the next generation of drivers with various employment options while retaining those valuable, experienced school bus drivers.

Contractual considerations:

• While evaluating how competitive salaries are against other school districts is essential, considering compensation in private or non-student transportation businesses is important.
• Evaluate the impact of offering retention bonuses to counter driver loss resulting from sign-on bonuses offered elsewhere.
• Create career ladders where excellent veteran drivers train and coach less experienced drivers as part of their responsibilities.
• Explore flexible scheduling options to accommodate drivers’ needs, allowing them to balance work with their personal lives more effectively.
• Seek ways to fill out schedules with other work to address split schedule problems.
• Seek out strategies to enhance benefits, such as options for family coverage or enhanced dental or eyeglass coverage

Non-contractual retention strategies:

• Investing in ongoing training and support programs can enhance drivers’ skills and confidence, reducing turnover rates. It also reinforces the district’s commitment to safety.
• Recognizing and appreciating bus drivers for their hard work through awards, ceremonies, and tokens of gratitude can boost morale and job satisfaction.
• Marketing bus driving positions, using various channels such as social media, local job boards, and community events to reach potential candidates.
• If possible, streamline the process of obtaining a CDL by providing training and resources to help candidates meet the requirements.
• Engage with the community to foster a sense of civic duty and pride in becoming a school bus driver, emphasizing their essential role in education.

The shortage of school bus drivers is a challenge that school districts must address proactively. Districts must prioritize strategies to retain experienced drivers while attracting new talent.

A well-compensated, supported, and recognized bus-driving workforce will benefit the education system and provide a fulfilling career option for those passionate about student safety and community service. As the wheels of education keep turning, remember that bus drivers are the unsung heroes who keep the journey smooth and secure for future generations.

The post What K12 leaders can do to recruit the new generation of bus drivers appeared first on District Administration.

That’s according to Kevin Matthews, head of electrification at First Student, a leading school bus transportation provider. The company currently deploys 310, a number they anticipate to increase in the coming years

He says district leaders should begin looking into the available sources of funding as early as possible citing concerns about their longevity.

“Mixing the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill—states have some funding as well—that’s available now,” Matthews says. “Five billion dollars seems like a lot of money. It’s not. That’ll disappear in the not-too-distant future. Moving now while these funds are available is going to be critical.”

Diesel prices are also on the rise, he adds, which heavily impacts districts’ cost-benefit analyses of their bus fleets. Additionally, he believes diesel engines for school buses will disappear much sooner than people realize. By 2026, at least 15 states will no longer be purchasing diesel-run school buses. Instead, they’ll be adopting legislation first introduced in California, the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which will require manufacturers of medium- to heavy-duty vehicles to transition to zero-emissions starting in 2036.

“The people who manufacture diesel engines are beginning to stop manufacturing or investing in meeting emissions requirements in these states because they know they’ll no longer be able to sell them,” he says. “The diesel engine development is coming to a halt.”

Add to that a mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency, which proposed new greenhouse emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. For upcoming model years 2028-2032, manufacturers will be expected to meet more stringent standards than ever before required by the EPA.

“The manufacturers have to meet these requirements,” he says. “They are going to have to have more and more zero-emissions vehicles they manufacture to meet these requirements.”

Each of these regulations provides a forecast of how the traditional diesel-run school bus will be phased out of district transportation.

A slow transition

As of June 2023, nearly 6,000 electric school buses have been awarded, delivered or are in operation across 914 school districts or private fleet operators, according to a recent count by the World Resources Institute, a global research nonprofit. This time last year, they noted a significant rise in the number of ESBs (electric school buses) being adopted by schools, and it’s a trend that’s continued since.

However, many leaders are still hesitant due to the initial sticker shock associated with the initial cost of an all-electric fleet. Greg Jackson, director of business development for School Bus Logistics and former executive director of transportation for Colorado’s second-largest school district Jefferson County Public Schools, says leaders must understand that it’s a long-term investment that eventually pays off.

“It’s going to pay for itself over the lifespan of that bus,” he says. “Now, you’re not paying for the parts necessary for an engine, which will constantly need servicing. A battery will give you about eight years of operation.”

More from DA: Before his arrival, there were budget cuts and hardships. Now, he’s Maryland’s Superintendent of the Year

But before you begin this transition, Jackson cautions leaders to do their research ahead of time. Districts need the proper infrastructure to operate these vehicles effectively.

“Infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges for school districts because electric buses require more spacing than diesel buses or any fossil fuel vehicle,” he says. “You’ve got to make sure you have chargers in place. You’ll have to work with your local electric companies to see if your grid can withstand the impact of charging and maintaining that bus.”

He says hiring for special positions like a sustainability director who is responsible for overseeing this type of work can help districts make significant progress in this area.

“Usually, it helps with the process,” he says. “If you’re alone as a director of transportation, you’re often thinking, ‘What do I do next?'”

Don’t be too quick to leverage these previously mentioned funding sources, too, he argues. Implementing a successful ESB fleet requires you to do your homework ahead of time. Can they be used on your routes? How much charge will you get out of them? Do I need to redesign our routes? These are the kinds of questions leaders ought to ask ahead of time.

“As people are looking to bring on EV, there’s a lot of that background work coupled with hesitations and fear that these buses are not going to do what they need to do,” he notes. “It’s all about doing the pre-planning necessary before you take your next steps.”

The post Why it’s time to ‘electrify’ school bus transportation appeared first on District Administration.

Driver shortages

“Let’s face it, everybody had to put food on that table back then, so they would go and you know, a lot of bus drivers left, took jobs elsewhere, delivering packages and things like that,” Tom Hamilton of the School Transportation Association of Massachusetts told CBS News regarding the state’s ongoing battle to recruit bus drivers ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

For example, Framingham Public Schools is one of several across Massachusetts that’s finding it difficult to fill and maintain its bus fleet.

“We have been made aware that we will only have 57 bus drivers to start this coming 2023-2024 school year,” reads a letter from the district to parents. “In order to operate efficiently and get as many students requesting transportation on a bus to and from school in a safe and timely manner, the District needs 77 buses.”

Knox County Schools in Tennessee is in a similar dilemma as the district is short 31 bus drivers in its second week of school, Knox News reports. As a result, students are getting home hours later than usual.

That situation is better than last year, according to the district’s Director of Transportation Ryan Dillingham. This time last year, the district was short 50 drivers. But in some areas throughout the district, this school year is looking worse than others.

“Some contractors have more driver openings than others,” he told Knox News. “Some have more openings in some communities than in others communities but we have driver shortages all across Knox County.”

“When you have vacancies stacked on top of vacancies, everyone is then running behind.”

A “transportation disaster” in Kentucky

Kentucky’s largest school system, Jefferson County Public Schools, was forced to choose schools through August 15 after a “transportation disaster,” according to the district’s superintendent. The district had recently redesigned its plan to reduce the number of routes to compensate for their ongoing driver shortage, but confusion struck, inevitably leaving some children on the bus until just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, the first day of school, CNN reports.

In a video statement to families, Superintendent Marty Pollio apologized to the district’s 96,000 students, their families and other members of the community. He said that canceling the second and third days of school was the most difficult decision he’s ever had to make.

District administration later addressed the need to close schools through Monday and Tuesday.

“I saw some incredible instruction,” Pollio said in the video statement. “Kids excited, families excited, new school buildings, and to have it end with the transportation disaster that we had last night was truly unacceptable. And once again, I apologize for that.”

Superintendent Marty Pollio’s message to families following the transportation issue

Families waited hours for their children to return home. And as of 9:58 p.m. on Wednesday, several students had yet to make it back home.

“We will be working diligently to make adjustments with the goal of reducing bus wait times and ensuring every child who needs one has a safe ride to and from school,” said Pollio.

The post How 3 districts are handling a ‘transportation crisis’ in their first weeks of school appeared first on District Administration.

Chatham County School District, GA

As of July 12, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System had only 154 official bus drivers, compared to last year’s tally of 222. Even worse, in 2019, the district had 328 drivers, GPB reports. Unfortunately, leaders don’t see an easy fix to the issue.

“We want to acknowledge that we know we have some challenges,” said newly hired SCCPSS Superintendent Denise Watts. “I have not been here long enough to truly unpack that… I’m not prepared to speak today to what those challenges or impacts are.”

Education Director at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Stephen Owens told GPB that the issue stems from the state’s outdated budget policies. Schools rely on supplemental help to operate transportation budgets, but the system was set in 2000. Without proper adjustments to funding to meet current transportation costs, schools in the district inevitably run into problems.

Ector County ISD, TX

Administrators across Ector County ISD are working on finding new and innovative ways to incentivize drivers to join their fleets. Like school districts across the country, Ector County is also experiencing its fair share of shortages. As a result, they’re promising drivers a competitive salary, benefits and other appreciative efforts, CBS7 reports.

“We are very proud that we implemented a pay increase for all of our employees across the board,” Associate Superintendent Anthony J. Sorola told CBS7. “A 3 percent raise classification.”

“Our starting salary is very competitive,” he added. “We also have flexible scheduling for our bus drivers. A lot of times they choose to work part-time as a bus driver because they require that. We offer that benefit, as well as medical benefits.”

Shenendehowa Central School District, NY

“We take that time to, kind of, take a breath and start to prepare for fall,” Assistant Director of Transportation Belinda Govich told News10 regarding the district’s summer plans. “Unfortunately, because we are short drivers, we have not had that breath.”

Many of the district’s former bus drivers reached retirement age since the pandemic, and now there aren’t enough applicants to fill in the gaps.

“We lost about 19 drivers this year, and we only have about 10 in training so far, so we are already going into the fall short again,” said Govich.

They’ve also been unable to provide students with transportation to various summer camps and field trips as they could in the past because summer school alone is occupying all their drivers.

“A lot of my colleagues who are directors and transportation supervisors are out on the road driving every day,” Govich explained. “Basically, anyone with a CDL is out on the roads.”

Govich’s message to parents this year, according to News10, is “Be patient. We most likely will be facing some delays as we did last year, as we have very similar challenges to those we did last year.”

More from DA: 3 podcasts every passionate K12 leader should tune into

The post What will it take for schools to have a full fleet of bus drivers again? appeared first on District Administration.

But bus driver shortages and district resourcing difficulties frequently create conditions that are the total opposite. Every morning across the U.S., school buses routinely arrive late. Some don’t show up at all. At a minimum, students and families experience limited disruption, but at a maximum, major changes cause a cascading effect across all areas of district operations.

Even with minimal disruption, parent and caregiver anxiety is exponentially heightened by simply not knowing. And, with the increased national focus on student safety, the school bus is a critical security concern that should not be overlooked in incident response planning.

As school security hardens, the entire school perimeter and school buses shift to a higher threat level, too. District administrators can no longer ignore the need to deliver robust and effective student safety measures while driving operational efficiencies.

Avoid ‘wrong bus, wrong stop’ incidents

Student safety starts at the bus stop. The management of loading and unloading passengers is a fundamental aspect of the student safety spectrum. Persistent driver shortages increase demands on drivers and introduce additional risks to the stop management process.

Whereas a regular route driver understands their routes’ intricacies, substitute drivers may not be prepared for the subtleties of a dirt road pickup or a highly trafficked drop-off. Technologies designed to support drivers can reduce the anxiety and distractions of learning a route while enhancing focus on student safety.

Dispatch teams need seamless communication with individual buses to navigate last-minute changes, regardless of drivers’ familiarity with an area. School buses outfitted with state-of-the-art GPS technology maximize their time spent operating, make live locations clear to coordinators at dispatch, and help avoid road hazards as they arise.

Give parents greater visibility in school district transportation

“Who is on the bus?” is one of the immediate, crucial response-driving questions asked by law enforcement, first responders or parents when a crisis occurs. Technology gives everyone in a student’s network the answers in real-time. Responsibly distributing that critical incident information requires a technology partner who knows your district, understands your school operations, and can customize their options to the unique demands of individual routes.

More from DA: Teacher stress is returning to normal. Here’s why some still may leave.

More than half of parents report wanting access to real-time school bus information in the event of an emergency, as well as timely communication about transportation schedules and drop-off/pick-up details. This is an opportunity to integrate technologies to reduce anxiety, enhance safety, and increase operational awareness. For example, automated alerting of a child’s boarding and exiting in pickup and drop-off zones provides certainty and calmness to parents.

RFID card swipe capabilities, similar to what many adults use to enter their workplaces, add another safety layer. School districts deploy this technology to know when and where a student enters and exits a bus. These technologies help increase confidence in school transportation programs and help administrators avoid unintentionally increasing guardian stress, for example, when maintenance or driver reassignments result in bus swaps.

Control the controllables

The risks associated with running a full-scale school bus fleet will always be high just by virtue of the number of daily touchpoints and the precious nature of its cargo. Each vehicle may serve up to 70 students, with multiple pick-ups, amounting to dozens of stops. The additional demands of using the bus to take students on complex routes to different campuses, field trips, and afterschool programs increases the complication of operations.

During an average school year, around 10 billion student trips are made. One bus pulled out of service sets off reverberations of safety risks across a district and disrupts operations for administrators.

With so many trips on the line, these unplanned disruptions are inevitable. That’s why administrators must control the controllables. Districts can significantly reduce the frequency of unplanned disruptions by ensuring their school bus fleet is in good working order. Verifiable, paperless pre- and post-inspection systems help maintain compliance and streamline processes for busy drivers.

Today’s smart fleet management platforms seamlessly capture and consolidate pre- and post-check inspection data, including integration into maintenance work order software so mechanics can prioritize and prepare for repairs before they lead to costly breakdowns. No driver wants to get stuck roadside with children onboard or stranded at the stop expecting a pickup.

Being boring is the most exciting thing districts can do

The more resource-constrained an operation is, the more critical it is to ensure your district has the tools and structures to maximize the availability and use of buses.

Modern data programs will help you minimize the number of missed stops and provide opportunities to identify efficiencies and reduce risks. Even when it comes to last-minute changes and critical responses, the right technology partner can help your district’s buses run on time.

The post Be boring: How to avoid the chaos caused by bus driver shortages appeared first on District Administration.

In October, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the investment of nearly $1 billion into cleaner, safer school buses. The grant helps nearly 400 school districts to buy more than 2,400 school buses, 95% of which will be electric. But as far as priorities go, some states see zero-emissions transportation as a back-burner agenda item.

A new report from the nonprofit CALSTART, an organization that works with businesses and governments to develop clean, efficient transportation solutions, provides a snapshot of state-level efforts to leverage electric transportation in K12 school districts. According to the report, the dataset only includes electric school buses that are either:

• Funded: Resources to support such an initiative have been awarded and accepted.
• Ordered: The district has placed an order for an electric school bus.
• Delivered: The bus has been delivered and is awaiting operation.
• Deployed: The bus has been placed in operational service and is running in service.

Here’s a look at the five states that have adopted the most ESBs since Sept. 2021:

1. California: 1,689
2. Maryland: 336
3. Florida: 218
4. Virginia: 152
5. New Jersey: 90

And states with zero ESBs:

• New Hampshire
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Idaho
• Arkansas
• Wyoming
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Kansas

States like Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut and New York also saw the largest increases in purchases between 2021 and 2022 as awareness and support grew.

“Despite some of the barriers to adoption, such as the upfront costs, school districts have more support available to them than ever to help ease the transition to electric school buses,” CALSTART’s ESB National Program Managager Rachel Chard said in a statement. “It’s clear from the data that school districts are eager to electrify with increases in adoption and program participation happening across the U.S.”

How to cut costs with ESBs

Electric school buses can cost more than triple the number of traditional buses, the report notes. The average ESB can cost anywhere from $270,000 to $400,000. However, the authors offer four recommendations to help leaders make the most of their transition to an all-electric fleet:

• Repowering school buses: A simple alternative to purchasing newly built ESBs, repower companies can remove unnecessary elements from former internal combustion engines and replace them with a “high-voltage electric drivetrain system and batteries.” Doing so reduces the cost of a new ESB upfront.
• Collaborate: Partner with nearby transportation services that already have an electric fleet.
• Look for opportunity: Are ways to pilot programs with local companies that can help share startup costs? For instance, one Michigan-based company is partnering with the Michigan Public Service Commission to “develop a pilot program that focuses on solving the high upfront cost of batteries for electric transit buses,” the report reads.
• Leverage statewide “green banks”: These entities reward environmentally smart institutions with grants and loans.

More from DA: Educators can’t beat ChatGPT, so show them how to embrace it

The post These states are leading the electric school bus movement appeared first on District Administration.

As the CEO of EverDriven, a tech-enabled alternative transportation provider that works with school districts to supplement the bus system, I’ve seen firsthand how secure, consistent, and agile transportation can help both students and districts successfully navigate these challenges. By utilizing alternative vehicles, districts can support student success by providing a way to achieve better attendance. Solving logistical and financial burdens for families with unique transportation needs ultimately increasing their access to equal education.

Back to school is a great time to observe and understand the challenges associated with coordinating student transportation. Here are three observations we have seen as we have worked with school districts around the country to navigate the complexities around student transportation.

1. Expect the unexpected with students

Between Aug. 1st and Sept. 16, our drivers completed more than 21,000 unplanned student trips for the districts we serve. Why? Because life is full of unexpected events.

Students transfer to different schools at the last minute for a variety of reasons. For example, children experiencing housing insecurity often change addresses, even going outside the district, yet still require transportation to and from school. In fact, research shows that 10% of a state’s student population, on average, will switch schools often, with poor and rural children being disproportionately affected.

These events create challenges for districts and therefore the need to reassess the most efficient and effective ways to get kids to school. In some cases, it can be challenging for district buses alone to meet these unexpected demands, therefore many districts choose to partner with a contractor to supplement to bus service.

A commitment to safety combined with proprietary technology enables districts and parents to know exactly where their students are while being transported and gives them the ability to easily schedule and adjust trips based on their transportation needs at any given time.

2. Prioritize consistency and stability to navigate critical driver shortages

All students, but especially students with disabilities, thrive on consistency. However, critical driver shortages are posing a challenge. To combat this, many districts have added an alternative transportation solution to handle disruptions and meet the various transportation needs of all their students.

By doing so, they have added a sense of stability in their daily routines, sending the same driver to the same students, whenever possible, and picking students up in the same vehicle every day. This can help reduce stress and set students up for a happier, more productive day at school.

More from DA:

Prioritizing consistency and stability will also benefit parents, who deserve to know that their child is in the care of a familiar person and in a familiar vehicle each day. A vetted and trained monitor—provided either by the district or the contractor—can keep the student and driver safe and provide support for a calm ride. Prioritizing consistency and support in transportation can go a long way to maintaining a sense of trust between parents and the districts.

3. Hold your partners to the same high standards

It goes without saying that any transportation professional would want to partner with companies that have the same high standards when it comes to student safety, data security, and communication. Setting the bar for vetting qualified subcontracted drivers means require them to become SafeRide Certified before driving a single student. Transportation contractors can and should work with the department of education of each state to ensure drivers are meeting specific safety standards.

Technology can also allow for real-time monitoring and route planning, and it can also protect the privacy of student information. With student welfare and well-being the No. 1 priority, student safety is essential for whatever transportation solution a school district elects to use.

I think we would all agree that our education system works hard to ensure that each generation of students receives every possible opportunity for success in life. Providing families and districts with safe, reliable, and efficient transportation solutions is key to putting students in the classroom.

Solving school transportation challenges may require dedication and outside-the-box thinking, but with high-quality alternative student transportation, we are one important step closer to getting the job done.

The post Improving student transportation: 3 takeaways from the new school year appeared first on District Administration.

Reminisce that dingy smell that hits your nose as soon as you step foot into the vehicle. That one window that requires the strength of 1,000 men to open. And the seat that gets closer and closer to losing all of its vinyl protection as students can’t help but peel a little bit off each day on their ride home.

As fond as those memories are, America’s school bus fleet is long overdue for a makeover. On Wednesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the investment of nearly $1 billion into cleaner and safer versions. The grant, which will be distributed to nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states, will allow districts to buy more than 2,400 clean school buses, 95% of which will be electric.

“President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is accelerating our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children,” said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This is just the beginning of our work to build a healthier future, reduce climate pollution and ensure the clean, breathable air that all our children deserve.”

Twenty-five million schoolchildren ride the bus each day, according to Vice President Kamala Harris. Soon, they will climb aboard one that sets them up for a healthier future. “We are witnessing, around our country and around the world, extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy… to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All with the goal of not only saving our children but, for them, saving our planet.”

Only 1% of America’s school buses were electric last year, the Associated Press reported. However, advocacy for a more efficient bus fleet has gained significant traction since then.

According to the EPA, $500 million was initially available for clean school buses in May. However, the agency received nearly 2,000 applications for more than 12,000 buses, primarily electric, prompting the need for additional funding for this initiative.

Public health groups are celebrating the announcement after years of advocacy.

“It doesn’t make sense to send our kids to school on buses that create brain-harming, lung-harming, cancer-causing, climate-harming pollution,” said Moll Rauch, public health policy director for Moms Clean Air Force, an environmental group. “Our kids, our bus drivers, and our communities deserve better.”

The post ‘Who doesn’t love a yellow school bus?’ Soon, they’ll be electric appeared first on District Administration.

Over the past couple of weeks, several schools have reported being targeted by thieves after discovering that their buses’ catalytic converters were stolen overnight.

In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, bus routes were disrupted for the second day in a row due to theft. Parents were told they had to find an alternative option to get their kids to and from school.

“While Kobussen had made every effort to resume regular bussing for the OASD today, they had no option due to additional overnight thefts,” according to a letter to parents. We understand this is a significant inconvenience and apologize for the disruption it causes you.”

Greg Cianciolo, patrol captain with the Winnebago County sheriff’s office, said they received a call around 6 a.m. Thursday regarding the second break-in at Kobussen Buses, impacting their Oshkosh fleet. According to reports, 27 converters were stolen Wednesday night. Eight were stolen overnight Tuesday and two buses were damaged.

“This is an unfortunate situation and the OASD appreciates all that Kobussen is doing to manage and problem solve,” according to a statement from the district. “Due to catalytic converter thefts impacting Kobussen’s entire Oshkosh terminal, there is no busing to or from school Thursday, September 29, for any Oshkosh Area School District students.”

Fortunately, the district is able to use buses from other schools that aren’t in session Friday. Kobussen is working on repairing the affected buses, but there has been no indication yet that they will be ready to go by next week.

Little Axe Public Schools in Cleveland County, Oklahoma faced a similar situation just days before the start of their school year in August. Four converters were stolen, according to Superintendent Jay Thomas. Two belonged to work cars and the other two belonged to buses for students with special needs.

“It was a low thing to do,” he said in an interview with KOCO News 5. “These kids depend on this bus—they have to. We don’t have another replacement for that bus. It has a wheelchair lift on it and it runs every single morning and every single evening.”

More from DA: Dozens of districts in Carolinas close or go remote awaiting hurricane that blasted Florida

On Monday, Sept. 19, in Burlington County, New Jersey, police were on the lookout for the suspects who stole nine converters from school buses over the weekend. The incident occurred near Moorestown High School. Fortunately, transportation for Moorestown Township Public Schools was not affected, according to Superintendent Michael Volpe.

“With the buses targeted, it looked like some of our most vulnerable students would have been most affected,” he said in a statement. “However, dedicated members of my team spent almost all weekend working, coordinating with the county, and assuring that these buses could get fixed.”

Catalytic converter theft has steadily increased, according to Cianciolo, especially among larger vehicles since they contain larger amounts of highly sought-after metals. Repairs can cost districts several thousands of dollars, depending on the number of converters stolen.

The post It’s exhausting: Add burgling bus parts to the issues facing K-12 districts appeared first on District Administration.