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Cartwright District approves application to EPA clean school bus rebate to pursue four electric buses
Summary
The Cartwright Elementary District governing board voted unanimously Dec. 17 to authorize staff to apply for the 2024 EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program to replace four diesel buses with zero-emission electric buses; the application is competitive and would not obligate the district to purchases until the board approves them.
The Cartwright Elementary District on Dec. 17 voted to allow staff to apply for the 2024 EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program to replace four diesel school buses with four zero‑emission electric buses.
The authorization, made by Board President Anna Bathea and seconded by Board Member Denise Garcia, carried on a 3-0 voice vote recorded at the special governing board meeting. Vice President Marissa Hernandez and Board Member Garcia also voted aye.
Board members said the application is time-sensitive: the program deadline is Jan. 9, 2025, and the district would not purchase vehicles unless a later procurement and a separate board approval are completed. “The request is to apply for an EPA clean bus initiative that would purchase four electric school buses, which would require us to retire four existing diesel buses that we have,” said Biz Victoria, the district presenter. She told the board the application would seek the vehicles only; infrastructure funding would be handled through a separate partnership and grant process.
Why it matters: The district said electric buses would reduce local vehicle emissions and improve conditions for drivers and students. Victoria told the board that two of the identified replacement buses were built before 2010 and two were purchased in 2015, and drivers have reported noise and heat issues tied to the older diesel configurations.
Board and staff described prior work preparing the district for electric buses, including a previous grant that funded one electric bus and a cooperative agreement with Phoenix Union High School District and CHISPA to address charging infrastructure. Victoria said earlier efforts helped the district qualify more competitively for this round but did not guarantee an award.
Key financial details provided at the meeting: the district noted earlier electric buses cost roughly $500,000 each in an earlier purchase that had a split grant/local match arrangement; the presenter also cited program guidance that can fund up to about $325,000 for a bus plus behind‑the‑meter infrastructure in some configurations and up to about $245,000 for a bus-only award. The presenter emphasized that the district’s application would request vehicle funds only; infrastructure would be pursued separately through partnerships.
The board’s approval was for the application only. If selected for an award, the district plans to return to the governing board for formal authorization to purchase vehicles and proceed with any necessary contracting.
Votes at the meeting on this item: motion to apply — mover: Board President Anna Bathea; second: Board Member Denise Garcia; recorded vote: Denise Garcia, aye; Vice President Marissa Hernandez, aye; President Anna Bathea, aye; outcome: motion carries (application authorized).
