Putnam Sets April 15 Budget Meeting, Committee
Putnam County will begin its budget work with a first budget committee meeting April 15. Commissioners ratified County Mayor Randy Porter’s nine-person committee selection. The committee includes David Andrews, Grover Bennett, Ron Chaffin, Kathy Dunn, David Gentry, Adam Johnson, Dale Moss, Ben Rodgers, and Jonathan Williams. The state mandates commissioners’ approval of a budget calendar. […]
Putnam Schools Updating Bus Fleet; New Technology Added Annually
Putnam County Schools beginning the process to purchase four new buses. Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said the system tries to purchase new school buses once a year in an attempt to keep its fleet updated. The average lifespan of a bus is 15 years. “They’re all the time, every year, updating on different things,” Chaffin […]
PCSS To Implement First Electric Buses During This School Year
Putnam County School System will be able to implement its two new electric buses into bus routes for this coming school year. Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said Putnam Schools is the first school district in the nation to actually receive the buses and use them from a grant federal grant opportunity. The Environmental Protection Agency’s […]
Putnam’s Electric School Buses Should Arrive In Next 60 Days
New electric school buses could be on the ground in Putnam County within the next two months. Putnam County Schools Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said there have been a few delays, attributed to the supply chain. “We have had a series of meetings with TVA meetings with the company in charge that’s going to be […]
Bus Driver Shortage Still Mixed Bag Across UC
Upper Cumberland school systems continue to work through issues with finding school bus drivers and substitute drivers. DeKalb County Transportation Manager Billy Rhody said he said they have routes covered, but do not have enough substitutes. He said when a driver is out, they have to make changes and double up routes in order to […]
Putnam Schools Accept Two Electric Buses; No Delivery Date Set
The Putnam County School Board officially accepted two electric buses Thursday night, the result of a $790,000 grant award from the EPA. The delivery date remains unclear, but Cumberland International Bus Account Manager Ashley Scurlock said the system has already designed the two routes to be covered by the buses. “The reliable range on a […]
PCSS Transportation Awarded Two Electric School Buses
Putnam County Schools awarded a $790,000 grant for the purchase of two electric buses. Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said the grant will also cover the charging stations. He said the new buses provide an opportunity to learn how the infrastructure works should they want to replace the whole fleet in the future. Chaffin said another […]
Nine New Commissioners Elected In Putnam County
A total of nine new commissioners will serve Putnam County following Thursday’s election. Fred Vondra, Ron Chaffin, Chevin Eldridge, David Gentry, Ken Hall, Junior Phipps, Vinnie Faccinto, Terry Randolph and David Andrews will join the commission. Current Commission Chair Mike Atwood lost in the 12th district, finishing fourth among four candidates. In district one, Vondra […]
Take Note Of Lights As School Buses Get Back On The Road
As school goes back in session this week, motorists must be aware of school buses transporting students. Putnam Schools Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said the best practice for sharing the road with buses is to take note of the lights on the bus. “Those yellow and red flashing lights on the front and on the […]
