KWRL Transportation Embraces The Future With 14 New Electric School Buses (Photo) - 01/27/26

KWRL Transportation—the long-standing transportation cooperative serving Kalama, Woodland, Ridgefield, and La Center School Districts—is taking a major step toward modernizing its fleet and improving long-term cost efficiency with the purchase of 14 new electric school buses. The milestone is the result of a multi-year effort to secure state, federal, and local utility grants that make electrification financially attainable for smaller districts.
 

Shannon Barnett, Transportation Director for KWRL, explained that the journey toward this purchase began nearly two years ago when bus manufacturers warned districts that diesel buses would soon be unavailable due to California emission standards being adopted in Washington and Oregon. “We were no longer going to be able to purchase diesel buses,” Barnett said, prompting KWRL to begin seriously exploring electrification options.
 

At first, KWRL hesitated to pursue electric buses due to infrastructure costs and concerns about range limitations for long-distance trips. But increasing grant opportunities—and the looming phase-out of diesel—spurred the Cooperative to apply.
 

“We applied the first time and were not accepted,” Barnett noted. But a second application, boosted by expanded grant programs, proved transformative. “I honestly didn’t think we would qualify, but it doesn’t hurt to apply,” he said. That persistence paid off.

A Unique Combination of Funding Sources

KWRL ultimately secured funding from three major sources: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Washington State Department of Ecology, and local Public Utility Districts (PUDs). “This creative approach to access multiple sources of funding ultimately allowed the cooperative to cover not just the cost of the buses, but also the infrastructure needed to power them, saving our local taxpayers money,” said Dr. Jenny Rodriquez, Ridgefield School District Superintendent. 
 

When Barnett contacted Clark and Cowlitz PUDs to assess feasibility, he received an unexpected offer. “They said, ‘We’ve got all of this gas tax money and the governor is encouraging us to use it on infrastructure—could we help you build infrastructure?’” Barnett recalled. With that, KWRL added substantial PUD contributions to its grant portfolio.
 

The final package included EPA funding covering half the cost of each electric bus, plus up to $40,000 per vehicle for infrastructure; Department of Ecology funds covered the remainder for 10 buses; and PUD support pushed the infrastructure costs to zero. In total, 10 of the 14 buses are fully grant-funded, while the remaining four cost the cooperative roughly $50,000 each—just a fraction of a standard diesel purchase price.
 

“Normally we’re looking at about $250,000 to $280,000 for a diesel bus and $400,000 for an electric bus,” Barnett said.

Long-Term Savings for Local Taxpayers

Beyond reduced fuel and maintenance costs, the electric transition will produce substantial savings for the four partner districts over the next decade. That’s because school buses in Washington are depreciated and reimbursed by the state over 13 years—regardless of how the buses were purchased.
 

“The state pays us back for every purchase… even though EPA and Ecology purchased them,” Barnett explained. “We’re getting payments on something that we didn’t spend money on.”
 

This means KWRL’s Transportation Vehicle Fund (TVF) will grow significantly without requiring annual contributions from local districts. Historically, the four KWRL districts have contributed approximately $300,000–$350,000 per year from local dollars to sustain the Cooperative. Those contributions will now be on hold.

Improved Riding Experience for Students

Electric buses offer several advantages that directly improve students’ daily ride to school. They are significantly quieter, which some students prefer. “Districts that already operate electric buses report a more peaceful ride,” said Barnett.
 

Electric buses also have smoother air-ride suspension systems and far fewer moving parts, dramatically reducing maintenance needs. And with the grant covering electricity, KWRL’s operating costs for these 14 routes will drop considerably.

Training and Timeline

About 30 KWRL employees—drivers, mechanics, and office staff—have already received specialized training in operating and maintaining electric buses. KWRL has also built internal capacity by training its own staff to serve as future instructors.
 

The buses are arriving in stages, two at a time, with full deployment expected by mid-February. Woodland launched the first electric route on December 15, with the ribbon-cutting celebration occuring on January 27.

“Saving Us Local Dollars and Upgrading Our Fleet”

When asked what he most wants the community to know about this transition, Barnett emphasized two key points: fiscal responsibility and modernization.
 

“This is saving us local dollars and upgrading to a newer and more modern fleet,” he said. Grant funding is not only supporting the purchase of electric buses but also allowing KWRL to continue purchasing diesel buses where appropriate for long-range routes. “It’s saving operational costs in maintenance and fuel.”
 

“For Ridgefield and our partners in Kalama, Woodland, and La Center, the move to electrification represents our shared desire for both innovation and fiscal stewardship,” said Rodriquez.

Ridgefield School District Celebrates January 2026 Students And Employees Of The Month (Photo) - 01/14/26

On January 13, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the January 2026 Employees and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting. Congratulations to all of this month’s honorees!

Felicity Stone, Pre-K at the Early Learning Center

Felicity shows exceptional gratitude, kindness, and compassion each and every day. She communicates beautifully through her expressive gestures, warm presence, and thoughtful actions. She shows appreciation in her own special way, and her gentle kindness shines through in everything she does. Felicity is a ball of sunshine who lights up the room with her bright smile. She brings joy to her classmates, offers comfort without needing words, and shows compassion in ways that make everyone around her feel seen and cared for. 

Grayson Munoz, 1st Grade at Union Ridge Elementary School

Grayson consistently goes above and beyond to lend a helping hand to both adults and his peers. His kindness, positive attitude, and natural leadership make him a dependable and valued member of the classroom community. He brings a sense of joy and warmth to our school each day and truly is a light to those around him. In addition to his strong character, Grayson is always striving to grow in his education. He approaches learning with curiosity and determination, eagerly taking on new challenges and showing perseverance when tasks become difficult. Grayson takes pride in improving his skills and is always willing to put in extra effort to better himself academically. Grayson’s dedication, growth mindset, and caring spirit make him a wonderful example for others.

McKinlee Robinson, 1st Grade at South Ridge Elementary School

McKinlee (Mac) brings a wonderful sense of kindness and care to our classroom each day. She is thoughtful and aware of the world around her, often going out of her way to help the community by picking up trash that isn’t hers simply because she knows it’s the right thing to do. Mac is also quick to offer help to others, whether a classmate needs support or an extra hand. One of Mac’s greatest strengths is how genuinely happy she is for others. She celebrates her classmates’ accomplishments with enthusiasm and joy, helping create a classroom environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged. She consistently looks for ways to lift others up and make sure they feel supported. Mac’s positive energy is evident in everything she does. Her optimism and kindness have a ripple effect, brightening the classroom and influencing those around her in meaningful ways. She is a caring, considerate student who models empathy and compassion, and her presence makes our learning community a better place.

Ethan Makohon, 5th Grade at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School

Ethan truly shines as a Responsible, Respectful, and Resilient leader in our school. Every day, Ethan is incredibly Responsible—he can be counted on to follow directions, and works hard to do his personal best in every single subject. His sweet, empathetic nature makes him wonderfully Respectful to staff and classmates alike. He is always looking for ways to be a helpful class community member and is a bright role model for all of us. In fact, we recently saw his leadership skills bloom when he gently and respectfully brought his group members back on task during a big project, making sure everyone felt heard but stayed focused on the goal. Finally, while he is an extremely capable student, he shows fantastic resilience by learning to trust himself and confidently embrace new challenges.

Taylor Page, 8th Grade at View Ridge Middle School

Taylor brings a smile to STEM class every single day, listens attentively, and consistently applies herself to every task. Taylor can always be counted on to give her best effort, whether she is working independently or collaborating with classmates, even in challenging group situations. She demonstrates patience, respect, and strong teamwork skills, showing that she can lead as well as support others effectively. Beyond STEM, Taylor has pushed herself outside of her comfort zone in Drama this year. Her motivation to be successful often helps her overcome obstacles and creatively problem solve. In ELA, Taylor is a model student, continuously seeking ways to stretch her abilities and improve her skills. Her writing is a joy to read and reflects her unique voice and creativity. Taylor is incredibly hardworking and driven. Her consistent effort, positivity, and grit make her a role model for her peers and a valued member of our school community. 

Grace Lee, 12th Grade at Wisdom Ridge Academy

It has been our distinct privilege and absolute pleasure to work with Grace Lee during the several years at Wisdom Ridge. Grace's journey here has been characterized by exceptional resilience. She has faced formidable personal challenges, yet her response has been one of consistent growth, commitment, and an unwavering determination to move forward and prove what she can accomplish. That monumental effort to build a better future for herself has not gone unnoticed. This academic year, Grace has demonstrated a powerful and visible commitment to her goals. Her attendance has significantly improved, her focus on her studies has sharpened, and her dedication to both her personal growth and her education is unequivocally clear. We understand that this year has been particularly demanding, yet Grace has successfully managed two programs simultaneously: the Transition Program and the challenging coursework required for her graduation from Ridgefield School District. To manage this workload while navigating personal struggles is nothing short of impressive. She has risen above these obstacles and, through her exceptional follow-through, has proven herself to be an incredibly capable and determined young woman. We are incredibly proud of her tenacity. Grace’s story is a profound reminder that progress is not always immediate, but with consistency, perseverance, and heart, it undeniably happens. She proves this powerful truth every single day. Thank you, Grace, for the positive and inspiring strides you have made and for being such an integral part of our school community. 

Colin Hutton, 12th Grade at Ridgefield High School

Colin values the strong sense of community at RHS and the time he spends connecting with friends. Influenced by teachers and coaches like Mr. Brink and Mr. Rinard, Colin has learned the importance of being pushed to grow—both individually and as part of a team. Colin is widely known across campus for his creativity, resilience, adaptability and exceptional work ethic. Teachers consistently describe him as proactive and dependable, whether he is supporting students in the library before the school day even begins or tackling complex challenges in physics, robotics, and engineering-focused coursework. His leadership on the Robotics team stands out, particularly in his role developing CAD training for younger students and serving as a bridge between professional mentors and new learners. Colin doesn’t just participate—he improves systems, anticipates needs, and finds creative solutions that make a real difference. With a positive attitude, strong problem-solving skills, and a “can-do” mindset, Colin brings joy and reliability to every space he enters. He works equally well independently or as part of a team, never making excuses and always striving to do his best. Looking ahead, Colin hopes to attend the University of Washington to study electrical engineering, a goal well matched to his curiosity, determination, and talent. 

Employees of the Month

Tammy Cresap, 6th Grade Science Teacher at Sunset Ridge Intermediate 

Cispus Outdoor School is a huge undertaking every year, and there is an incredible amount of moving parts to keep track of. The organization and planning start before the outdoor week is even over for the following year, and then work goes all through the school year (and summer) to make a successful camp happen. We are so thankful for the work done by Tammy Cresap. She pulled together all of those different elements for another year of adventures for our 5th-grade students. Thank you, thank you!

Amanda Burgess, 5th Grade Teacher Sunset Ridge Intermediate

Amanda Burgess was an instrumental part of the coordinating team that spent so many hours planning, organizing, and creating another year of Cispus Outdoor School for our 5th graders. It's a year-long commitment and includes SO many different parts and pieces behind the scenes. Getting hundreds of humans all going in the right directions (literally and figuratively) is a Herculean task, and we are so thankful for the time and effort put into making this week happen. Thank you, thank you!