Medical Lake School District purchases new buses dical Lake

The Medical Lake School District will have several new additions to its bus fleet next year.

During its May 23 meeting, the school board of directors approved an order to purchase five propane powered 72-passenger buses for $610,000. These buses will be primarily used for routes and short trips. Northern Energy is providing fueling tanks, dispensers and training at no cost.

The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has been encouraging school districts to purchase and use vehicles with alternative fuel sources.

The district will be responsible for providing endorsements for each as well as crash barriers. It will also have to provide the electrical power to the dispenser.

Electric Smiths Inc., out of Spokane, will install power to the dispenser at the bus garage.

According to information from the district, the propane tanks on each bus are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline tanks. The fuel lines are high durable stainless steel and the fuel to the injectors is directly injected into the engine.

“It’s a good move forward,” Superintendent Tim Ames said.

The board also approved the first and second readings of policies “Online Learning” and “Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action.”

In other action items, the board approved a resolution authorizing Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to oversee athletics and activities for the 2017-18 school year. It also approved the surplus of two TVs and a dictionary set from Michael Anderson Elementary School, and a request for Myers-Stevens to provide the district’s voluntary student accident insurance.

During his report, Ames gave a brief rundown on some of the projects the maintenance crews will be working on this summer. These include repairing the high school’s 500 wing roof and tennis courts, making infield dirt for the middle school’s outdoor fields, re-carpeting six classrooms at Hallett Elementary School and cementing Michael Anderson Elementary’s courtyard and sidewalks.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.