Palmyra-Eagle Area School District is Plugged in and Powered Up!

On Wednesday, October 25th, Palmyra-Eagle Area School District along with their partner, Dousman Transport Company invited local, county, state and federal officials, WE Energies, RENEW Wisconsin, Wisconsin School Bus Association, EPA, lC Bus, local businesses and the community to the deployment of Wisconsin's first registered electric school buses. These buses were funded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean School Bus Program Award, a grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, that authorizes the EPA to offer rebates to replace existing diesel school buses. 

Led by Master of Ceremonies, Dylan Kysley, District Administrator Ryan Krohn spoke first about how the implementation of electric buses will help lead the school district and state towards sustainability and innovation. He spoke about how partnerships were instrumental throughout this process and thanked the partner businesses, the school board and those attending the event. He added that while the school district not only prides themselves on performance excellence in the classroom, but also making sure they are fiscally responsible. Ryan Krohn added that this initiative “will not only bring clean school buses to the community, but is a chance to have some savings so that we can keep our dollars in the classroom for our students.”

Guests of the event heard from district collaborators such as Larry Kirkley of Dousman Transport Company, Representative Scott Johnson of the 33rd Assembly District, Cherie Hime of the Wisconsin School Bus Association, Michael Johnson from WE Energies and EPA Region 5 Representative, Tony Maietta who all worked together to make electric buses happen for Palmyra-Eagle Area School District. 

Larry Kirkley spoke about the importance of this new venture. “Not because we have brand-new school buses, but because of what these electric school buses represent– a forward-thinking, leader of schools with its students and community at the heart of their decisions; and Dousman Transport’s never-ending commitment to student safety.” 

Following the short run of speeches there was a check presentation from the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Bus Program in the amount of $2,370,000, along with the ribbon cutting and bus rides to the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit Headquarters and back on two of the six EV Buses the district will receive. Prior to the event the Palmyra-Eagle High School Jazz Band entertained the crowd with music. 

Palmyra-Eagle Area District is thankful for all the work that went in to make this a successful event and the district looks forward to hosting more ride events in the future.