Board approves propane fuel island and four propane buses; fire alarm replacement and other routine items also pass

The Board of Education voted April 17 to approve the purchase of a propane fuel island and four propane school buses and also approved a fire-alarm replacement at Creekview Intermediate and routine treasurer and superintendent action items.

Transportation Director Todd Amos presented propane as a fuel alternative he said would lower operating costs and maintenance compared with diesel. Amos cited sample prices and savings: he reported a diesel price of about $3.64–$3.87 per gallon in March and quoted propane at $1.87 per gallon; he said estimated lifecycle savings for a propane bus are about $143,000 over the life of the vehicle. Amos told the board that propane buses are available for earlier delivery than diesel; he said diesel buses are experiencing long lead times (about 18–20 months) while propane buses were available for next school year.

The board approved a purchase order for the propane fuel island; the detailed estimate presented to the board was $100,000 for the base bid plus $20,000 for a proposed alternate (total $120,000 if the alternate is accepted). The board then approved the purchase of two 72-passenger propane buses (total $284,806) and two 18–22 passenger special-education propane buses (total $303,230). Board members said availability and return on investment justified the purchase; the district plans to phase propane buses into the fleet over about ten years and retain a portion of diesel buses for longer trips where propane refueling would be unavailable.

Separately, the board approved a purchase order to replace the Creekview Intermediate fire alarm system. The contract amount listed in the motion was $192,325.68; board members said the current system is antiquated and replacement parts are no longer available.

Votes and motions at this meeting (roll-call outcomes):

- Purchase of propane fuel island: passed (unanimous roll-call). Recorded audible votes: Ms. Savage — Yes; Mr. Smith — Yes; Mr. Ferguson — Yes; Mr. Keller — Yes; Mr. Katt — Yes.

- Purchase of four propane buses (two 72-passenger; two 18–22 passenger special-education): passed (unanimous roll-call). Recorded audible votes: Ms. Savage — Yes; Mr. Keller — Yes; Ms. Smith — Yes; Mr. Chapman — Yes; others recorded in roll call were Yes.

- Fire alarm system replacement at Creekview Intermediate: passed (unanimous roll-call). Recorded audible votes: Mr. Ferguson — Yes; Mr. Smith — Yes; Mr. Keller — Yes; Ms. Savage — Yes; Mr. Cap/Katt — Yes.

- Approval of treasurer’s monthly items and superintendent’s action items (personnel, donations and routine contracts): passed (unanimous roll-call).

Board members noted the purchases are funded from the district’s permanent-improvement forecast and that the propane purchases are intended to be phased in as older buses are retired. No votes were taken at this meeting to change route or district transportation policies; board discussion included questions about mileage, bus lifespan and mechanics’ ability to service propane engines. Amos said mechanics are equipped to work on propane vehicles and that the fleet’s maintenance demands should be lower than diesel.