Hood River County School Board approves two more EV grants

“Today, Sept. 11, marks the 23rd anniversary of the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 civilians and first responders,” he said. “This day reminds us of the profound grief and remarkable strength that followed … Let’s take this moment to remember the lost and renew our commitment to kindness, service and community.”

As the district transitions away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles — the State of Oregon will not allow diesel bus purchases as of Jan.1, 2026, as previously reported in Columbia Gorge News — Rosselle has been working to find grant opportunities to help fund the change.

The first presented to the board was the Pacific Power Oregon Electric Mobility grant, which allocates money in the Pacific Power coverage region. This grant, for $300,000, would allow the district to purchase a Type 10 Ford Transit electric vehicle (EV), two dual port Level 2 chargers, infrastructure and permits, the construction of the chargers, educational and rural outreach, and consultation support.

There has been an increasing need for individual student transport, and the van would give the district more flexibility to bus students to its lower valley sites. The van could also be used for smaller class trips.

The charging stations would be located at Westside Elementary. The van would be permanently stationed at the school.

The second grant was a component of the already awarded MOVER (Microgrid Opportunities Vehicles Enhancing Resiliency) grant — a subcontract agreement between New Buildings Institute, Inc. (NBI) and HRCSD for elective credits and rebates for EV purchases.

“Working in partnership with New Buildings Institute, they had requested we take advantage of some of the IRS tax rebates and credits that are available, it was better if we were the procuring entity as opposed to them procuring and giving it to us,” Chief Financial Officer Mark DeMoss explained. The contract would cover both the acceptance of the grant and purchase criteria — a bus and charging station that would be located at the bus barn site.

Both grant applications passed unanimously.

“Thank you for going out for all of these grants,” said Board Chair Corinda Hankins Elliott. “[And] going out for all of this infrastructure support — you are doing so much work to get this off and running for our district.”

In other news, Communications Director Stephanie Hoppe, Technology Director Tod Hilstad and Hood River Valley High School Assistant Principal Jim Donnelly presented an update on the district’s website development project. The website was given a complete overhaul in a process that started last school year and continued this summer.

“The manageability of the platform we’re using, the features that we have in it now [is] so much better than what we had before,” Hilstad said.

The project aimed to improve navigation and content, Hoppe said, and to develop an effective, intuitive and informative website. The three took board members on a tour of the site, highlighting details such as on-site translation and accessibility.

One new feature: The ability to select multiple school events on the new and improved calendar. The schools are color coded for identification.

“This is something families asked for,” Hoppe said. “As you know, we have many families who have students at elementary, middle and high school levels, so this is your one stop shop for seeing what’s happening at all these schools.”

Next steps include using tags to enhance search results, establish calendar guidelines, and add photos to the staff directory and other content to improve accessibility.

“It’s a work in progress,” Hoppe said. “We’re making edits and changes as we see them, or as people report them to us.”

Jen Kelly, who was on the website development committee along with Board Chair Chrissy Reitz, noted the enormity of the job. “It was extremely impressive,” Kelly said. “It took a tremendous amount of organization and a lot of hard work and a lot of thought. And I think this is a much better product.”

View the website at hoodriver.k12.or.us.

The board also unanimously approved Resolution 24-25/02, granting board support for Columbia Gorge Community College’s (CGCC)Bond Measure 33-111, which will appear on the November ballot. CGCC President Kenneth Lawson asked the board for support at the Aug. 28 meeting.

The school board’s next meeting will be a work session Oct. 9.