Students at Bloom Township High School District 206 will board electric school buses likely beginning in the 2024-2025 school year as the district and its transportation provider partnered to secure federal funding for zero emission school buses.

Of 15 Illinois school districts, District 206 in Chicago Heights received nearly $10 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s clean school bus program rebates, the state’s highest award, according to the agency’s website.

“Anytime you’re awarded something that’s for an improvement or makes things better you take it as a feather in your cap,” said Gregory Horak, the district’s director of transportation.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 gives the EPA authority to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models to reduce harmful emissions from older, dirtier buses, according to the agency’s website.

In October, the agency announced the first round of funding, which allows for $5 billion for low and zero emission school buses over the next five years.

District 206 Superintendent Lenell Navarre said the district is working through the details with Positive Connections, the company the school district contracts buses through, and Navistar, the company that manufactures the buses.

“We’re just looking forward to be up and running,” Navarre said. “It’s great to be fortunate enough to get these electrical buses not just for our students but for the community as a whole.”

Horak said officials with Positive Connections and Navistar helped the district apply for the federal funding. Officials with Positive Connections and Navistar did not return requests for comment.

“The three parties had to sign off in agreement to work together. We don’t have our own bus fleet,” Horak said. “The companies had to partner with a school to be eligible for the funds.”

The money will fund 25 electric school buses, Horak said. The district uses 50 to 60 buses a year, so about half the district’s bus fleet will be electric, he said.

Bloom High School uses 22 or 23 school buses and Bloom Trail High School uses 30 to 35 school buses, Horak said.

It’s likely the 25 electric school buses will be used for the Bloom High School routes, Horak said, and the remaining buses operating Bloom Trail High School routes.

“Helping half is better than helping none,” Horak said. “It’s an opportunity to take that step in that direction of helping the community and the environment.”

The buses will likely be charged at the Positive Connections property, Horak said, because the district doesn’t have space to build a bus station with 25 charging ports.

As the buses are used, Horak said he hopes students will experience a quieter and smoother ride while the buses help the environment and the community quality of life.

“For us, the biggest thing is the sentiment of improvement. That’s what we try to do in our district, make improvements that will benefit kids and down the line our community,” Horak said.