FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2022
Contact: Elleka Yost
866.682.2729 x7065
[email protected]
K–12 Education, Transportation Leaders Join Forces To Amplify Electric School Bus Opportunities And Challenges
Alexandria, Va. – April 4, 2022 – Leading national education and pupil transportation groups are pleased to announce today the formation of the Electric School Bus Collaborative (ESBC)—a powerful initiative aimed to incorporate more state and community perspectives about facilitating the transition to electric school bus fleets across the country.
The Collaborative is comprised of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT). As the Environmental Protection Agency kicks off a $5 billion program to distribute rebates for districts to replace older diesel buses with cleaner and greener school transportation, the need for the Collaborative is clear.
These organizations will work with and support school transportation directors, school finance and operations leaders, superintendents, and other state and local officials in assessing capacity to electrify school bus fleets, identifying operational and financial challenges, and highlighting the potential environmental and economic benefits of fuel-efficient, lower emission school buses.
The formation of the Collaborative coincides with the announcement of the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure. As districts around the country are positioned to invest historic amounts of federal funding in improving air quality in schools, building outdoor learning spaces, and greening their building and transportation infrastructure, we commend the Administration for its efforts to recognize and encourage school district leaders and communities’ efforts.
“The ESBC will be a non-partisan source of information, education and advice for school system leaders in the K-12 market space as they analyze and implement the transition to electric powered school buses,” said Michael Martin, executive director, NAPT.
“As we work toward equity-based and future-driven best practices in our school systems, district leaders must ensure bold strategies that will positively impact how our young learners are traveling to and from school,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “This partnership is steadfastly committed to creating the most efficient means possible in how we transport our students who are living in urban, suburban and rural communities. We are excited to work with NAPT and ASBO International on this critical endeavor.”
“We are proud to join this Collaborative and share school district perspectives, challenges, and solutions to provide students safer, greener and more cost-effective school transportation services,” said David J. Lewis, executive director, ASBO International.
“We want to encourage the momentum but with an understanding that it cannot be a one-size-fits-all proposition; there are differences in state education funding mechanisms and school bus operations from community to community,” Martin added.
For specific questions, contact Elleka Yost, ASBO International's Director of Advocacy, at [email protected].
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About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
About ASBO International
Founded in 1910, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is a nonprofit organization that, through its members and affiliates, represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide. ASBO International is committed to providing programs, services, and a global network that promote the highest standards in school business. Its members support student achievement through effective resource management in various areas ranging from finance and operations to food services and transportation. Learn more at asbointl.org .
About The National Association of Pupil Transportation
The National Association of Pupil Transportation is the school transportation industry’s largest and most diverse membership organization. Professional school transportation personnel from both the public and private sector, school bus manufacturers and after-market service and product suppliers, come together through NAPT and help us develop and provide a wide variety of education and information services. Learn more at napt.org.