Grant funding supports district’s fleet

Kyle Rosselle, school safety and security director, and Mark DeMoss, chief financial officer, provided an update on electric vehicle (EV) projects and grants. This has been an ongoing project for the district, as the state will no longer allow diesel bus purchases as of Jan.1, 2026.

The Pacific Power Oregon Electric Mobility grant, which allocates money in the Pacific Power coverage region, awarded the district $112,223 for an EV and charging station, now complete and located at Westside Elementary. Rosselle said the grant provided funding for one dual port Autel Charger and one model 1 Ford EV type van, which will provide transportation to activities and support for students with special circumstances, including houselessness. He hopes to someday have such stations at every district facility due to increasing need.

Four dual port level 2 pedestals and another van are located at the transportation facility.

The three-year Microgrid Opportunities Vehicles Enhancing Resiliency grant (MOVER) from the Department of Energy — a subcontract agreement between the national nonprofit New Buildings Institute, Inc. (NBI) and HRCSD — awarded the district $1,000,000 for elective credits and rebates for EV purchases, including buses and charging stations. One Ride BYD type A bus, valued at $360,000, is expected to be delivered later this month, thanks to this grant, Rosselle said.

Last year, he shared plans to purchase a Greenpower EV bus, but ultimately, it didn’t work out. “Right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the big bus EV world for companies, so we have partnered with … Blue Bird, a very well-known manufacturer” and ordered three buses, expected to arrive “sooner than later.”

By the end of December, Rosselle expects a fleet of four EV buses and two EV vans, with five chargers. Infrastructure was placed with an eye towards future expansion, he said.

Wy’east microgrid

DeMoss recounted some challenges to Wy’east Middle School’s microgrid project, funded by a CREP grant and in conjunction with the MOVER grant slated to make Wy’east Middle School a solar-powered microgrid that could support the area in the event of an emergency, along with an EV charging station.

“In that project, we had gone to the bid phase for the major electrical portion, which is about $1.5 million; that project has been impacted by cost increases in tariffs, legislative changes in the solar ITC (Solar Investment Tax Credit), and the timing of some of the IRS EV credits,” DeMoss said.

Thus, original bid results were “significantly over budget,” but the district has been negotiating with the lowest bidder, and a contract is expected to be reached by the end of the month, with construction starting by the end of the year.

Grant sources and funding

DeMoss noted the district has been awarded more than $2.75 million in what he called alternatively financed transportation:

• MOVER and CREP grants (solar charging and battery energy storage infrastructure, in process)

• Pacific Power grant

• EPA bus grant

• Oregon DEQ DERA grant (bus purchase, in progress)

• IRS credits and rebates (will file in November for two vehicles and four chargers)

Rosselle said that the DEQ grant requires the surplus of an older bus — in this case, one that is 18 years old — which must be destroyed by cutting the frame and boring a three-inch hole through the engine, to be done in house. After that, it can be salvaged for parts. Taking its place will be a new, fully air-conditioned Blue Bird conventional bus.

“All buses going forward are fully air conditioned,” he added.

Staff honored

Human Resources Director Gus Hedberg also honored the transportation department during the recognition and good news portion of the meeting.

“A bus driver is often the first and last school representative a student sees each day, making their role vital to setting a positive tone for learning,” Hedberg said. “More than just transporting students safely, bus drivers provide a sense of consistency, security, and care that helps students feel welcomed and valued.”

District bus drivers have a combined 290 years of experience and cover around 2,132 miles per day — translating to about 395,000 miles per year.

“From coordination of the office staff to the actual driving, the mechanics keeping the buses running, and Kyle keeping the crew together and moving ahead — it really is a team that is so valued in our district,” Hedberg said.