Board approves grant-supported electric school bus; district to retire one diesel bus

The South Whidbey School Board approved the purchase of an electric school bus after administrators described the financial and operational details. Superintendent Dr. Moshe introduced the item and noted there is some grant funding available; the board heard from staff about costs, delivery timing, charging infrastructure and vehicle selection.

A board speaker explained that after applying a $250,000 grant to a bus with a $410,000 list price, the district’s net cost would be roughly $156,000, and the district would depreciate the asset over 14 years. Staff said delivery will likely take about a year, and the purchase will require removing one diesel bus from the fleet. Board members raised questions about prior charging problems; staff said those issues were isolated, resolved, and that current charging is reliable; the district will add an additional charger to accommodate the new bus.

Why it matters: The purchase continues the district’s transition to lower-emissions transportation, responds to student advocacy, and involves a six-figure net capital expenditure that affects fleet capacity and charging infrastructure planning.

Board members asked about vehicle comparisons and warranties. Staff said the selected model had a larger battery capacity and a longer warranty compared with competitors, and noted warranty stability concerns for one alternative manufacturer. Students and board members expressed support for the district’s move toward greener fleet options. The board approved memorandum 23-24-62 by voice vote.

Next steps include finalizing procurement, coordinating charger installation, and scheduling the eventual retirement of a diesel vehicle when grants or future actions allow.