Getting ready for a new school year

It’s back to school time, but will there be a bus? An electric bus, that is. Block Island School Superintendent Bob Gerardi told the School Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 16 that they were still waiting delivery of the vehicle, which is a donation from the Block Island Solar Initiative.Gerardi also said he was trying to coordinate a celebration, but he didn’t know exactly when the bus might get here. The bus was ordered by Anderson Motors, which ordered three in total, two for the town of Westerly, and one for Block Island. But, since Westerly ordered theirs before Block Island did, they got delivery of the first two buses. Still, he is hopeful the bus will arrive in time for the opening of school.The school is also lacking a bus driver, although Gerardi said they will be able to use last year’s driver until he can be replaced.“And do we have a plan B?” asked School Committee Chair Jessica Willi.“No, we do not,” answered Gerardi.There are people interested in the job, but they need to be certified as bus drivers, a multi-step process that includes testing at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.“We’re doing everything we can

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