The Shawnee Public School Bus Fleet will eventually be welcoming four electric school buses. Estimated time of arrival is a year, and it is all made possible by a $1.58 million federal “Clean Air Grant.”
“The savings for our district will be considerable, as well,” said Director of Transportation John Wiles. “(An) electric school bus runs about 48 cents a mile to operate while a diesel runs about $1.98 a mile to operate. So we should see some savings in that, in the future.”
Wiles announced the grant acceptance during the Shawnee Board of Education meeting on Nov. 7.
Superintendent Dr. April Grace added that it will also cover a charging station, and Assistant Superintendent of Business Dr. Aaron Espolt said they are working with OG&E for electrical service.
Also during the Superintendent’s Report, Michelle Wallace, Career Development and Community Partnership Advisor, introduced Shawnee seniors Titus Wright and Natalie Selman. They spoke about attending the senior conference and working at their internships.
Paid for with a $50,000 Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) grant, this year’s senior conference featured guest speaker Jeremy Kubicek, a 1989 Shawnee graduate, as well as career cluster T-shirts and classes.
“There's a lot of stuff there that you don't get to learn in school, life-based stuff because we're about to start living on our own, but I really liked the cooking (class) one because I think it's very important, especially when you're a broke college student that you know how to make stuff,” said Wright.
For his internship, Wright shadows a dental assistant at Impressions Dental.
Selman said her favorite class was “Dr. Who,” “which basically explained like scenarios, like what's different symptoms that you've been having, and explain why you should be going to urgent care, ER, or you should stay at home, or just go to your health care provider.”
She realized she’ll be making doctor’s appointments for herself soon. Wallace said “Dr. Who” was actually Dr. Kelli Koons.
Selman’s internship is with Action Physical Therapy, but she is questioning her decision to go into the field.
“So, the beauty of, I like her story, because as much as you find out what you do, like you can find out what you don't like before you start investing time and money,” said Wallace. “So we're gonna get her a placement at a dental office.”
Brent Houston reported that the Estimate of Needs was approved by the Excise Board.
In Board Reports, Board Member Clif Harden gave “shout outs” to the Sequoyah PTA for several recent events and fund-raisers. He also said, “Shout out to all the veterans in the Shawnee Public School System, volunteers, staff.”
The replacement and installation of the Transportation Building awning was approved, using Pottawatomie County sales tax funds. Espolt mentioned that a lot of updates have been made to the transportation building and surrounding buildings.
All consent docket items were approved, such as three out-of-state trip requests, public gifts to SPS, encumbrance registers, a resolution to the County Election Board, and retirements, resignations and transfers.
The resolution was for a Board of Education Primary Election to be held on Feb. 14, 2023, if three or more candidates file for positions. It called for a general election to be held on April 4, 2023.
The resignations were Kourtney Jones, Kristen Moore, Eddie Adams Jr., Jessica Bayles, Effie McElfresh, Mary Whiteside and Kristi Peters. There was one transfer, Wendal Chastain.
Employment addendums were approved as written without discussion in executive session. Athletics employees hired were Chakara Converse, Tara Goodfox, Jack Bouse, Eric Litherland and Zane Walck. Support personnel hired were Jamie Brooks, Lauren Dick, Jazzmen Fox, Yannah Frazier, Shasta Hartley, Lawanda James, Adrianna Joseph, Misty Moss, Taune Shortt and Donna Uranga-Higley. Certified personnel hired were Taryn Burks, Jeffrey LeCompte, Amber Ledbetter and Allison Pankiewicz.
Jefferson Honor Choir performed at the beginning of the meeting, led by Teresa Swadley, who also led the invocation. Choir members Kambrie Mwangi and Cambria Belvin led the flag salute.
The next Shawnee Board of Education meeting will be held on Dec. 5, at 6 pm, in the SPS Central Office.
