here’s a new federal program to help school districts battle the high costs of operating school buses. State Auditor Rob Sand told KNIA/KRLS News how school districts could save money with the program.

Sand says, “There is a program in place for replacing older school buses that are insufficient, to help them save on fuel.”

Schools who are eligible for the program in the KNIA-KRLS listening area are Melcher Dallas, Pleasantville, Twin Cedars, Monroe, North Mahaska, Lynnville-Sully and Southeast Warren.

The schools will need to apply for grants for clean school buses soon.

The application process closes Friday; the EPA will offer eligible school districts up to $500 million to replace old school buses with new zero-emission and low-emission school buses.