The Wethersfield School District’s plans to convert its bus fleet to electric power has gotten a big boost, according to reports from Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks at Thursday’s board of education meeting.
Dr. Brooks said the final design is complete for installing solar panels on the bus barn as part of a multi-district micro-grid grant approved this spring. One of the participating districts has dropped out of the group and the money they would have received will be divided among the remaining school districts.
Wethersfield will receive an additional $58,000, which brings their total to over $849,000. That will cover installation of solar panels on the roof of the bus barn, installation of a charging station and other necessary equipment, as well as one school bus.
Dr. Brooks added that the district applied for and received an EPA grant that would cover the cost of two full-length, 72-passenger electric buses, which costs $200,000 each, and one 54-passenger bus equipped to carry handicapped students which would cost an estimated $220,000.
The four electric buses would eventually replace the four oldest buses in the district’s current seven-bus fleet. The “braiding” of the micro-grid and EPA grants will amount to $1.5 million in transportation and infrastructure improvements for the district. Brooks also said the district has joined an EV charging coalition that would allow electric buses to recharge at member schools on long trips, expanding the range of the electric buses.
The superintendent also reported that the district has received a $20,000 Preschool for All grant that will offset fuel costs incurred by buses transporting preschoolers, and provide for additional storage space and playground equipment.
Also at the meeting:
-Dr. Brooks also told the board he has asked the city and HVN Capital, Inc., for funds to replace the existing chain link fence around the west half of the campus block with a more secure fence and gates. HVN was recently granted a special use permit to operate a cannabis dispensary in the former Broken Chimney restaurant a block and a half south of the campus on Tenney Street. Dr. Brooks said the improved fencing and gates would reduce the impact of the facility on the nearby school.
Brooks opposed the permit on behalf of the school district during the application and approval process contending its proximity to the campus posed concerns for the safety and security of students and school property.
-The board approved the amended FY24 budget which showed a $61,246 surplus and $2,655,007 balance in the education fund; a $4,559 surplus and $424,769 balance in the building fund, and $14,360 deficit and $207,810 balance in the transportation fund. Supt. Brooks said the deficit figure was due to late reimbursement payments from the state. The amended budget included a balance in all funds at the end of the fiscal year of $8,268,838.
-The board also accepted the resignations of vocal music teacher Stephanie Hagaman who retired at the end of the year; teachers aides Christie Burnett and Cheri Grabbe, and Pat Keane, junior high baseball coach. Retirement requests at the end of the 2026-27 school year were accepted from second grade teacher Tonya Vincent and media specialist Paul Alepra.
-The board approved employment for the 2024-25 school year of Hannah Wiyrick, elementary/vocal music; Meagan Paxton, junior high cheerleading coach; Marianna Ponce, pom pon coach; Jules Heberer, high school cheerleading coach; and Amanda Sherbeyn, Felicia Beam and Hunter Crabtree as teacher’s aides.
-The board congratulated members and coaches of the A-W Titans high school softball, baseball, and track teams, and junior high track team on their accomplishments this season on the conference, regional, sectional, and state levels. Team members, coaches and parents were in attendance.
