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Bledsoe County board approves $405,000 electric bus grant 4–3 after members raise battery-life and cold-morning concerns
Summary
The Bledsoe County Board of Education voted 4–3 Jan. 5 to accept a $405,000 electric bus purchase grant (10% local match) with up to $22,500 for charger installation after debate over battery lifespan, range and reports that buses were cold during morning pickups.
The Bledsoe County Board of Education voted 4–3 on Jan. 5 to accept a $405,000 state or federal grant for electric school buses, despite objections from several members who questioned battery life, vehicle range and morning passenger comfort.
Transportation Supervisor Brian Turner presented the grant, which covers vehicle purchase with a required grantee cost share of 10%. The accompanying charger-installation award is described in the record as up to $22,500 with a 10% local match. Board members focused much of the discussion on operational concerns: battery life was described in the record as about eight years, and several members questioned whether buses could complete routes and provide adequate heating during morning pickups.
"I've had calls from parents saying the electric buses are cold in the morning when students are picked up," Mr. Timothy Churches said during the discussion. Ashley Scurlock, identified in the record as being "with Cumberland," said she was not previously aware of that specific issue and indicated there may be technical fixes or mitigations.
A motion by Mr. Bron Reece to reject acceptance of the grant failed 4–3 (Billingsley: NO; Churches: YES; Frady: NO; Oakes: NO; Perry: NO; Reece: YES; Snow: YES). Chairman Andy Billingsley then moved to accept the grant; that motion passed 4–3 (Billingsley: YES; Churches: NO; Frady: YES; Oakes: YES; Perry: YES; Reece: NO; Snow: NO). The board record lists Mr. Frady's affirmative vote in the second tally as "YED" in the transcript; that has been recorded here as YES consistent with the motion outcome notation.
The board vote authorizes the district to accept the funds and proceed with the purchase and preliminary plans for charger installation. The transcript does not specify an implementation timeline, vendor selection process, or whether the board set conditions for pilot testing during winter operation.
The decision moves the district toward procuring electric buses while leaving key operational questions—range in local routes, battery-replacement strategy, and how schools will ensure morning interior heating—unresolved in the minutes. The record shows no follow-up directive or staff assignment tied to those technical concerns at the Jan. 5 meeting.
