The Courier July 2015 | Volume 22, Issue 12
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a division of Independent School District 15 Community Education | St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Athens Township, Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township
www.the-courier.org | news@isd15.org
District 15 Transportation Department expands propane bus fleet Jeremy Bolles Route Specialist/Safety, ISD 15 Transportation Dept.
During the April 27 School Board meeting, the Independent School District 15 (ISD 15) School Board approved the lease purchase of 38 new Thomas propane buses. Thirty-five are full-size C2 Saf-T-Liner buses, one is a full-size wheelchair bus and two are mid-size wheelchair buses. The new buses are scheduled to be delivered in October. The Transportation Department is excited about the many features of these propanepowered buses (see article in The Courier, March 2015). Other information from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding propane is that it is a non-toxic, nonpolluting, non-greenhouse fuel. Propane is not soluble in water as opposed to natural gas, which is used in urban gas lines, appliances and hot water heaters. Natural gas is considered to be toxic, polluting and a greenhouse gas. Propane will not create an environmental hazard if spilled. And, if accidently inhaled, propane vapor is not harmful to people or animals. In fact, propane is so safe it is used as a propellant in hair mousse products. And this is before it is burned in an engine. After propane is burned, the exhaust is so clean that it is used to power forklifts inside closed warehouses all over the world. No fuel, other than electricity and hydrogen, has such clean exhaust, which exceeds the requirements for clean fuel vehicles. The new Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 propane buses are CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified for emissions standards, which means they meet the strictest requirements in the United States. And this safe, low emission fuel is stored in tanks that are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline or diesel tanks and are protected between the frame rails with a safety cage. Not only are these new buses safe and environmentally friendly, the District will save money. Instead of paying for repairs for the aging fleet, the District will be paid to fix any issues with the new buses. These new buses carry a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year warranty on paint. Since the District’s transportation shop is certified as a warranty repair facility, Thomas will pay ISD 15 to fix its buses. Besides the savings in repairs, the District anticipates a savings of $200,000 per year on fuel, since the price of propane is cheaper than diesel. With a locked-in price during the off-season, propane is less than half the price per gallon than diesel and avoids storage issues, such as bacterial contamination and temperature sensitivity, that are inherent with diesel. The seven year lease has an option where the District can purchase the bus for $1 at the end of the lease period. The District can decide then to continue to use the bus, sell or trade for new. Instead of patching together an aging fleet, currently averaging ten years old and waiting for the inevitable cost of replacing expensive engines and transmissions, the District can save time and money on maintenance and fuel with the new Thomas C2 buses. Watch for these new buses in October. The Transportation Department is looking forward to the many improvements that the new buses will provide to our students, drivers, mechanics and ISD 15 stakeholders.
Want to avoid the summer blahs? Enroll in Kids Connection today! The Kids Connection childcare program, offered by Independent School District 15 Community Education, provides a safe, nurturing atmosphere for children that brings summer fun to a whole new level. There are flexible options for parents of children age 4 through completion of grade 5. Summer Kids Connection hours are 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday until September 1 and is located at St. Francis Elementary School. Each week, a field trip is planned along with a variety of daily learning activities and recreational experiences. For more information, call 763-213-1616 or visit www.isd15.org/kc. Above, children enjoyed a picnic and playground outing to Elm Creek Park June 10. photo by Melissa Riley
The Courier announces change Beginning next month, The Courier publication schedule will change from 12 to 10 issues annually. There will be combined August/September and December/January issues. New for area businesses: the Community Ed brochures, which are mailed to ISD 15 residents in September and January, will now include advertising. Visit www.the-courier.org for more details or call 763-753-7031 or 763-753-7032.
What’s Inside A propane-powered school bus from Independent School District 15 made an appearance in the St. Francis Pioneer Days parade June 6. This fall, the ISD 15 Transportation Department will lease 38 more propane buses and is looking forward to the many benefits that the new buses will provide to students, drivers, mechanics and the environment. the courier photo
Schools in Action.................................................. 2 School Board Highlights................................12 Community Education....................................14 Community & Business...................................16 Sports & Outdoors.............................................28 Meetings, Events & Benefits, Life...............33