Maryland Education Board Declares MCPS Electric Bus Contract Illegal

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Maryland Education Board Declares MCPS Electric Bus Contract Illegal

A recent report from the Maryland State Board of Education has classified the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) electric bus contract as “illegal.” This contract, worth $168 million, was deemed in violation of procurement rules set by the district.

Key Findings of the Report

The investigation concluded that the agreement between MCPS and Highland Electric Fleets was “arbitrary, unreasonable, and in violation” of established bidding procedures. It also revealed that the district terminated the contract after Highland Electric Fleets had supplied only 285 of the 326 buses promised.

Concerns and Investigations

Additional scrutiny on the electric bus deal emerged last year, prompted by a public report disputing MCPS’s assertion that transitioning from diesel to electric would yield “zero net change” in transportation costs. The Montgomery County Inspector General later highlighted issues such as delivery delays and a failure to recover $372,000 for non-operational buses.

Notably, the state board’s report also addressed the criminal convictions of two former transportation officials within MCPS. Their involvement, including the theft of over $300,000 from the project, further compromised the integrity of the procurement process.

Reactions to the Findings

Janis Zink Sartucci, a representative from the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the findings. She criticized the Board of Education and Superintendent for their delayed response to the ongoing issues, stating that they have incurred significant legal expenses while failing to address concerns outlined in the report.

Future Implications

While the contract with Highland Electric Fleets has been terminated, MCPS plans to continue its partnership for the foreseeable future due to leasing agreements. As they do not own the buses or charging stations, taxpayers will still be responsible for annual lease payments.