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District wins $600,000 EPA bus grant; window projects, generator work and summer repairs slated
Summary
The board heard that the district received a $600,000 EPA grant for 10 buses (eight propane, two electric), approved Phase 1–2 work for water infiltration repairs at Intermediate South, and reviewed multiple summer facilities projects and technology rollouts.
Toms River Regional Schools announced on May 23 that it was awarded $600,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the purchase of buses and outlined an array of facilities projects slated for the summer.
The district said the EPA award will be applied to 10 buses: roughly $200,000 toward eight propane buses (about $25,000 per bus in the presentation) and $400,000 toward two electric buses. Staff cautioned that the electric-bus portion may require additional infrastructure spending and noted they will evaluate federal and state incentives and infrastructure proposals before deciding whether to proceed with electric purchases now.
Facilities staff reviewed immediate construction and maintenance plans. Window replacement work is scheduled to begin June 13 at Washington Street Elementary and West St. Elementary (targeted areas including offices and nurse/teacher rooms, not full building gutting). Coping repairs at Eastover Elementary are grant-funded and also scheduled for summer work. Generator and switch-gear installations at several secondary sites are in preconstruction; the district said lead times for generators remain a scheduling concern.
Procurement and closeout: Staff reported that several referendum projects are in final closeout with contractors, security camera angles and night-vision adjustments are being finalized, and nearly 9,958 facilities work orders were generated this fiscal year with 9,246 completed to date.
Contract action: The board previously approved Phase 1 and 2 work at Intermediate South with Pravco Inc.; staff said that project will begin promptly after the academic year ends.
Other items: The board reviewed a $65,000 grant for playground equipment at South Toms River Elementary and technology initiatives including a Chromebook replacement plan for grades 4–12 and a districtwide rollout of ParentSquare and two-factor login for critical systems.
Sources: Facilities presentation, grant announcements and project updates delivered at committee meetings on May 23.
