PARIS — Maine School Administrative District 17 directors, on Jan. 17, unanimously supported Superintendent Heather Manchester’s request to apply for a $200,000 grant toward the purchase of two electric school buses and charging stations.
If approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the district would vote to decide whether to accept the money. If the grant is locally approved, it would have two years to buy the buses.
Norway and Paris schools, with more condensed populations and room for a battery charger, would be the most feasible locations.
“A normal bus costs $130,000 and an electric is $345,000,” Manchester said. “The grant would offset the difference. We would also see savings on gas.”
The purchases will be a test to see how electric buses perform in the Oxford Hills School District before any possible future mandates to transition from gas and diesel transportation.
Manchester was asked how using electric vehicles would impact mechanic training and skill requirements, how the topography and weather in western Maine will impact performance of the buses and if there is comparable data on battery life.
She acknowledged that some maintenance and service would need to be outsourced. Data is available from other school districts. She said the bus batteries are strong enough to power a school building during power outages.
The deadline to apply for the grant is Jan. 31.
Other business
In other business, the board authorized using up to $30,000 from the district’s contingency fund to replace the fire security panel at the Central Office on Main Street.
Waterford Memorial School Principal Margaret Emery reported that the school’s outdoor trail system and playground are being expanded.
Oxford Hills Middle School Principal Jessica McGreevy said the school is launching a Café Club, similar to the one Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway has had for several years.
McGreevy also said chronic absenteeism is significantly improved compared to last year. In December of 2022, 60% of students were recorded as being chronically absent; last month it was 21%.
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