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Board approves just‑over $1 million MCPS capital transfer to finance above‑ground fuel tanks; schools cite potential $200k–$400k annual savings
Summary
The Board voted to appropriate MCPS capital funds — just over $1 million — to advance several school capital projects, the largest a roughly $900,000 contract for four 10,000‑gallon diesel tanks and one gasoline tank at four school/operations locations; school staff said bulk purchasing could reduce fuel costs substantially.
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on March 10 approved a capital‑funds transfer for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) totaling just over $1 million to support specific school capital projects, including a project to install above‑ground fuel storage tanks for district vehicles.
School officials told the board the diesel and gasoline purchase project would install four 10,000‑gallon above‑ground diesel tanks and one gasoline tank at four locations: Price’s Fork Elementary (Blacksburg), Eastern Montgomery High School, the county operations center in Christiansburg (which would also house the gasoline tank), and Auburn High School. School staff said the capital cost estimate that came back from a November RFP placed the tank project ‘‘just under $900,000’’ and that the district spends about $1 million a year on fuel under the current system.
A school representative said bulk purchasing and centralized tanks could reduce annual fuel spending by an estimated $200,000–$400,000 depending on market prices and logistics. The schools acknowledged logistical changes for bus drivers and vehicle operators, who now fuel at retail stations, and said they will pursue cooperative buying with other regional divisions where possible.
Supervisors asked clarifying questions about timeline, safety and compliance. School staff said the tanks are above ground, double‑walled and would meet Department of Environmental Quality and other regulatory requirements; security measures (bollards, gates) were referenced. The schools said they had discussed the concept previously at joint liaison meetings and that the school board had approved the request prior to the county vote.
The county clerk recorded the roll call for the appropriation as affirmative; the motion passed with seven ayes.
Nut Graf: The capital appropriation funds a school proposal to centralize fuel storage and purchasing. School officials project that centralized bulk purchases could yield meaningful annual savings, but the project requires upfront capital and operational changes for staff and bus routes. Supervisors asked staff to follow implementation and safety requirements before installation.
The schools and county staff said installation could occur in summer months if the appropriation and contracting proceed on schedule.
