This evening, the Jefferson Parish School Board (JPSB) was expected to vote on a key measure in its monthly meeting that might cost local taxpayers at least $3.4 million for electric (EV) school buses. The JPSB is planning to replace the 25 oldest gasoline school buses in the system and is depending on the federal Clean School Bus Program to cover most of the $10.2 million estimated cost for 25 EV school buses.

One Jefferson Parish School Board member is standing up for the taxpayers of Jefferson Parish: Mike Pedalino. In a recent article from the Times-Picayune, Mr. Pedalino pointed out some obvious issues with purchasing electric school buses instead of gasoline-powered ones:

High up-front costs associated with purchasing an electric vehicle, which can often be twice as much as a typical diesel bus, have also remained a barrier for most districts. Pedalino said that even with help from the EPA’s grant program, he worries about the potential burden on local taxpayers.

“If the grant covered 100% of everything, I’m sure it would probably have an easier road to pass because we wouldn’t be taking resources out of our general funds to pay for it,” he said.

For context, the federal Clean School Bus Program started in 2022 under the Biden administration to fund thousands of EV buses across the United States. However, the program has faced intense scrutiny due to the many issues associated with EV school buses–including persistent safety problems, limited driving range, and delivery delays. In fact, one school district in New York state found that 20% of EV school buses did not work on any given day.

For context, the federal Clean School Bus Program began in 2022 under the Biden administration to fund thousands of EV buses across the United States. However, the program has faced intense scrutiny due to the many issues associated with EV school buses—including persistent safety problems, limited driving range, and delivery delays. In fact, one school district in New York found that 20% of its EV school buses did not work on any given day.

Despite all of these operational issues, EV school buses still three to four times more than diesel school buses.

What’s more, depending on this federal grant program is a significant gamble in the light of the new Presidential administration. The current Trump administration recently cancelled several unnecessary federal grants and even initiated a temporary pause in January 2025 for DEI, foreign aid, and “Green New Deal”-related grants.

Back in April 2025, hundreds of school districts waited for months to receive their promised Clean School Bus Program grant funding. According to an article from Associated Press, many of these districts had already purchased EV school buses and are still on the hook for the bloated cost of the EV buses:

More than 500 districts nationwide are still waiting on around $1 billion from the EPA to cover more than 3,400 electric buses.

That’s sparked panic and confusion in districts that must find other ways to cover the cost or delay or cancel their purchases. It’s also hitting companies building the buses, those selling them and companies that oversee districts’ transportation. The National School Transportation Association, which represents private school bus operators, called the freeze “extremely disruptive.”

The EPA hasn’t explained why the funds are on hold or if they will ever be released. A spokesperson said the EPA does not comment on pending litigation. Multiple lawsuits have called for releasing federal funding frozen by myriad federal agencies including the EPA.

After generating public pushback, the Jefferson Parish School Board removed the EV bus purchase measure from tonight’s agenda. However, I would not be surprised if it resurfaces in the future.

Currently, Republican politicians hold a 7-2 majority on the Jefferson Parish School Board. Unfortunately, this Republican supermajority does not mean much when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Multiple Republicans on the School Board are publicly supporting this measure to buy unreliable EV school buses.

School districts across the country have struggled with the unnecessary adoption of electric school buses. Why should Jefferson Parish throw money at a technology with obvious operational flaws when a more dependable, more affordable alternative exists in gasoline school buses? Any School Board member voting YES on future EV bus funding would be defying both common sense and the fiscal responsibility owed to taxpayers.