The Macomb School District is in the process of acquiring 18 large new buses. Superintendent Patrick Twomey said he’s had numerous people ask whether any of them will be electric.
“The answer is no,” he said, citing the high price. “These new electric buses run well over $300,000 each.”
He pointed out it would also be quite costly to install charging stations for buses.
Twomey said “huge” federal grants are available to help school districts transition to electric. But he said districts have to own buses to qualify.
“We’ve had third party contracting in this district for 25 or 30 years, so we didn’t have any buses to turn in to tap in to those federal grant dollars,” he said.
“I think there will be a day where electric will have its place. But it’s just not for us right now.”
As TSPR reported in December, the Board of Education voted in favor of having the district own the buses it uses.
Currently, Durham School Services owns the buses and handles all of the district’s transportation-related matters.
The district will lease the new buses for three years, with the option to buy them after that. The first-year cost will be $642,000.
No baseball and softball programs for Macomb Middle School
A proposal to add baseball and softball programs for students at Macomb Middle School struck out with the Board of Education.
The board voted 5-0 to reject the programs, which would have been for seventh and eighth grade students. The building also houses sixth graders.
Board members expressed concerns about the possible costs of running the programs and providing transportation.
They also were concerned about getting coaches and umpires, and finding fields for the teams to play and practice on.
Board member Kristin Terry said the district needs to focus on academics rather than adding more sports.
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