Urbana BOE learns more about propane buses

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Urbana City Schools’ new propane buses have found favor with the district’s transportation supervisor.

Transportation Supervisor Dan Leiker reported to the school board Tuesday about the expenses incurred with the new buses, noting he believes they are a better financial deal than the diesel buses in the rest of the fleet. The buses also are more environmentally-friendly, burning cleaner fuel and running more quietly than diesels.

Leiker said it is cheaper to operate the propane bus, due to added environmental regulations for diesel engines. Oil changes are also cheaper and the oil runs cleaner after a change in a propane vehicle versus a diesel.

The fuel itself is also cheaper, though the propane buses get less mileage per gallon than the diesels.

Maintenance on the propane buses is estimated to be cheaper, and propane buses do not need to be plugged into heaters in winter – unless it’s below -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Leiker said the administration may need to buy more buses in the near future when the new elementary/middle school is built. At that point, all of the students in those grade levels would be eligible for busing, so there might be more need for new buses.

Also, diesel buses are estimated to last for 200,000 miles or up to 12 years old, and some in Urbana’s fleet need to be cycled out with new ones.

In other action, the board:

•Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Urbana Association of Classroom Teachers (UACT) concerning the use of available leave for bargaining unit member Mark Agerter.

•Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) concerning the use of available leave for bargaining unit member Leslie Agerter.

•Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with UACT for the sharing (splitting) of supplemental contracts.

•Approved the Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources for fiscal year 2017.

•Approved the Amended Appropriations for fiscal year 2017.

•Approved the 9.833 Certification.

•Approved donations of $80 to Urbana High School band from Century Link; an Apple iPad Mini 2 and case valued at $295.33 to Urbana North Elementary via DonorsChoose.org; and $280 to Urbana Boys Golf from the Athletic Boosters.

•Approved substitute teachers for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved substitute personnel for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved Peggy Wirick as an intra-sub at the junior high for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved intra-subs at the high school for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved Sadie Steffan as the Washington, D.C. trip coordinator for the 2017-18 school year.

•Approved the resignations for retirement of Custodian Edward Haynes, effective July 1, 2017, Custodian Vinnie Osborne, effective the end of the day May 31, 2017, and Bus Driver Bonnie Fansler, effective June 1, 2017.

•Approved resignations of Associate Melissa Judy, effective the end of the day March 17, 2017; Associate Toni Mossbarger, effective the end of the day March 21, 2017; Assistant Boys Soccer Coach Zach Stacy, Head Boys Bowling Coach Phil Baker, and Head Swimming Coach Kendell Burcham, all effective immediately.

•Approved the non-renewal of supplemental contracts, per the collective bargaining agreement with UACT.

•Approved volunteers at the junior high, high school, and athletic department for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved hiring Head Boys Tennis Coach John Coffman at Step 0 for the 2016-17 school year.

•Approved Valerie Leonard as Head High School Girls Golf Coach at Step 0 for the 2017-18 school year.

•Approved the Urbana High School DECA trip to the National Competition April 25-29, 2017, in Los Angeles, Calif.

•Approved the lawn maintenance contract with Crabtree Landscaping for $27,500 for the 2017 mowing season and $28,000 for the 2018 mowing season.

By Casey S. Elliott

[email protected]

Casey S. Elliott may be reached at 937-652-1331 ext. 1772 or on Twitter @UDCElliott.

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