At their most recent meeting, the Mid-Prairie School Board held a public hearing regarding the specifications for school buses they are looking to purchase. Superintendent Mark Schneider says there was no one from the public who took part in the hearing, so they took that as a sign the community trusts them to choose the district’s new buses. The district will now begin accepting bids for two propane-powered buses.

Schneider says they’ve weighed the benefits of diesel and propane against the negatives, and have decided to continue transitioning their bus fleet to propane. A process they began two years ago. He explains, “Propane buses in the short run do cost more, but when you figure the gas mileage, the fuel costs, and the maintenance costs, they actually save you money over the long haul. At least, that’s been our experience.” Other benefits for propane buses include cleaner emissions and more reliable starting in cold weather. Schneider expects the school board will start looking at bids at their next meeting, and they should have their new buses before the start of the next school year.