The Madison Parish School District (MPSD) has received a $6 million grant that provided 14 fully electric buses, as well as charging stations. MPSD officials said the buses come with state-of-the-art technology and air conditioning.
MPSD Superintendent of Education Dr. Charlie Butler Jr. said the buses are truly a blessing for the district.
“We received an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) clean bus program funding earlier this year,” Butler said. “It takes months to build these busses. A small financially strapped district like ours would never be able to fund these buses without this award. One bus is roughly $400,000. To get 14? Madison Parish is so blessed and we don’t realize the positive impact these buses will have on the community now and in the future.”
Butler said the new buses offer more efficient options than traditional, diesel-powered machines and are a step toward the future for the district.
“New buses that are battery operated saves money on maintenance and just having new safe, fully equipped with air conditioning buses period is a blessing,” he said. “We are now on a short list of districts with 100% of its fleet fully air conditioned and prepared for the brutal Louisiana heat. I’m just ecstatic to be able to get these for my community and district. I’ve received calls from several superintendents throughout the state congratulating us and asking about the award.”
Butler said benefits of the new buses include: lower operational costs due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses; zero tailpipe emissions, which positively impacts the health of students, staff, and residents; noise reduction: Electric buses operate quietly, which creates a quieter and less-disruptive environment for all; technological advancements: Electric buses are just one more step in positioning the school district as a leader in innovation, Butler said; educational opportunities: The introduction of electric buses provides educational opportunities for students to learn about sustainable practices, renewable energy, and emerging technologies.
“These benefits tremendously impact our quality of life here in Madison Parish in many ways,” Butler said. “I am...we are...Madison Parish.”
