Students and community groups press Durham Public Schools for a climate action plan, urge use of federal electric-bus funds

Public comment speakers at a Durham Public Schools Board of Education work session on a range of sustainability topics urged the district to adopt a formal climate action plan and move more quickly to electrify school buses and other operations.

Speakers from the Sustainable Schools Coalition, members of Citizens Climate Education and other local volunteers told the board that students have drafted a plan and that district energy staff previously requested funds and approvals to buy electric buses and charging infrastructure using federal incentives.

The advocates said financial barriers and internal communications problems have slowed progress. “We understand that the budget is tight, but…under the Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles program, schools and other organizations are reimbursed for replacing gas‑guzzling vehicles with electric ones and the infrastructure necessary to use them,” said Mathias Matthew, a Northern High School sophomore and member of the Sustainable Schools Coalition, during the public-comment period. Matthew said he believed a superintendent signature was the remaining administrative step on an application that energy managers had prepared.

Other speakers echoed the request for a districtwide plan that links facilities, curriculum and transportation. “What we need is action, a climate action plan,” said Rachel Owens, a science teacher at Northern High School and member of the Energy Advisory Council. Students and community members described curricula that would teach energy conservation and highlighted examples, including a cited case in Batesville, Arkansas, where advocates said solar installations reduced operating costs.

Superintendent Dr. Lewis acknowledged the public comment and told the board that the district “did apply for that grant, and we were granted 32 buses.” He said the district would continue conversations about electrification and other energy priorities.

Board members asked follow-up questions and thanked the speakers. Several board members later referenced sustainability among other priorities in their discussion of the superintendent’s post-entry plan; none voted on a climate-action resolution at the meeting.

Why it matters: Public advocates say school fleets and buildings are major local sources of emissions and that districts can capture federal incentives now available for school vehicle electrification. School boards decide whether to pursue and sign applications and to set district energy policy.

What to watch next: Speakers asked the board to adopt a formal climate action plan and to remove barriers that prevent energy managers from communicating directly with school leadership. The board and administration indicated willingness to continue conversations; speakers requested a clear timeline and visible action steps.