Unionville-Chadds Ford board approves purchase of five electric buses, authorizes solar-grant application
November 01, 2024 | Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District board approved two capital-related motions: the purchase of five Creator Type C electric buses and a board resolution authorizing application for a Pennsylvania solar grant.
Dr. O'Keefe moved to approve the purchase of five Creator Type C electric buses at a total purchase price of $1,901,706. He said the acquisition is being offset by multiple funding sources — an EPA grant, an Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay grant and a Pennsylvania DEP grant — and that the district’s stated net cost for the five buses is $397,697. Board members described hands-on test rides, operational advantages such as quieter, air-conditioned vehicles, and the training and maintenance demands that follow the district’s electric-bus pilot. Several members requested periodic operational updates; administration agreed to provide regular feedback on driver and mechanic experiences during the pilot.
The motion passed by a 9–0 vote.
On the solar proposal, Dr. O'Keefe moved to approve a board resolution to apply for a Pennsylvania solar grant and the transcript includes an unclear stated motion amount (variously transcribed as "5,900" and later "59,100"). Board discussion clarified that tonight’s action authorized application only — not approval of the full installation expenditure — and that the district estimates a full project could cost about $1,000,000 with a potential $300,000 grant and possible IRA funding to reduce upfront cost. The board approved the resolution 9–0 and noted more due diligence and a separate future approval would be required before any installation.
Both actions were framed by board members as timely opportunities to take advantage of grant funding while remaining cautious about long-term economics and operational learning curves for new technologies. The board’s votes were unanimous.
Next steps include administration providing quarterly or bimonthly updates on electric-bus operations and continuing due diligence on any solar project before a final investment decision.
Dr. O'Keefe moved to approve the purchase of five Creator Type C electric buses at a total purchase price of $1,901,706. He said the acquisition is being offset by multiple funding sources — an EPA grant, an Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay grant and a Pennsylvania DEP grant — and that the district’s stated net cost for the five buses is $397,697. Board members described hands-on test rides, operational advantages such as quieter, air-conditioned vehicles, and the training and maintenance demands that follow the district’s electric-bus pilot. Several members requested periodic operational updates; administration agreed to provide regular feedback on driver and mechanic experiences during the pilot.
The motion passed by a 9–0 vote.
On the solar proposal, Dr. O'Keefe moved to approve a board resolution to apply for a Pennsylvania solar grant and the transcript includes an unclear stated motion amount (variously transcribed as "5,900" and later "59,100"). Board discussion clarified that tonight’s action authorized application only — not approval of the full installation expenditure — and that the district estimates a full project could cost about $1,000,000 with a potential $300,000 grant and possible IRA funding to reduce upfront cost. The board approved the resolution 9–0 and noted more due diligence and a separate future approval would be required before any installation.
Both actions were framed by board members as timely opportunities to take advantage of grant funding while remaining cautious about long-term economics and operational learning curves for new technologies. The board’s votes were unanimous.
Next steps include administration providing quarterly or bimonthly updates on electric-bus operations and continuing due diligence on any solar project before a final investment decision.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
