School districts across the United States are making critical decisions about the future of their fleets, including balancing operational needs, community expectations, and emerging technologies. Two districts in very different parts of the country – Baldwinsville Central School District in New York and Plano Independent School District in Texas – have taken distinctive but equally committed paths with IC Bus vehicles at the center of their strategies.
From long-standing diesel operations to the first steps into electrification, both districts highlight how IC Bus has shaped not only their day-to-day transportation but also their long-term vision.
Baldwinsville Central School District: A Tradition of IC Partnership
When Cory Duthoy stepped into the role of school transportation director for Baldwinsville Central School District, he inherited a fleet that was already overwhelmingly committed to IC Bus.
“Right now, we’re running about 125 buses with our spares,” he said. “Once our new IC buses arrive, we’ll be pushing 130 to 135. We cover 80 square miles, serve just over 6,000 students, and transport about 5,100 of them every day. The fleet travels over 1,400,000 miles a year.”
That scale of operation requires reliability and consistency across the fleet. For Baldwinsville, that has long meant IC.
“We’re over 90 percent IC buses,” he said. “They’ve always been here. There were a couple of other manufacturers in the past, but our mechanic, who’s been here more than 25 years, could tell you, it’s been decades of IC.”
Cory Duthoy, school transportation director for Balwinsville Central School District
Evolving Fuel Strategies
Like many districts, Baldwinsville has experimented with different fuel types as leadership has shifted.
“We’re about half diesel and half gas,” Duthoy said. “The previous leadership moved toward gas, but now we’re transitioning back to diesels.”
The district has found practical ways to apply both fuel types.
“Gas buses don’t do as well with mileage, so we put them on shorter neighborhood runs,” he said. “Our newer diesel buses have bigger engines and more safety options, so we use them for long-haul sports trips and country routes with hills.”
Building a Strong Relationship with IC and Dealer
A critical factor in Baldwinsville’s ongoing success is its close working relationship with IC and its local dealer, Leonard Bus Sales.
“We average 14 new buses a year with IC,” Duthoy said. “Right now, seven are at Leonard’s, and we expect to receive them in late October. Some of our older buses have held up well, so we’re keeping them as subs. That gives us flexibility when buses are out for warranty work.”
The purchasing process is smooth thanks to dealer support.
“We have a great relationship with our salesperson, Christine,” he said. “She walks us through the process, provides quotes, and then it goes to our business official, who works it into the budget.”
The dealer’s responsiveness has been invaluable, Duthoy added.
“The shop is very responsive,” he said. “If we call with an issue, they’ll either send someone within a few days or walk us through a fix. The attention to detail has been excellent, with everything from paint jobs to pre-delivery inspections. They make sure buses arrive with as few issues as possible before we take ownership.”
Training and Technology Integration
Training is a cornerstone of Baldwinsville’s approach.
“We train new drivers on our newest buses while they earn their CDLs,” Duthoy said. “That way, once they’re licensed, they already know the latest vehicles. Of course, we review the older models too, but our priority is the newest equipment.”
Mechanics are trained the same way, he said:
“If they learn the newer, more complex technology first, then the older buses are easier to understand.”
New technologies have also become recruiting tools.
“Everyone worries about safety, like running over a student or missing something in a blind spot,” Duthoy said. “We order buses with cameras on the grille and sides to cover those blind spots. When we talk about that in interviews, it reassures potential drivers,
Looking Ahead
For Duthoy, the district’s commitment to IC Bus is clear.
“As long as I’m here, we’ll continue working with IC,” he said. “Nothing’s perfect. We’re not, they’re not, but they always work with us to correct problems and make things better.”
With a new training facility, a growing fleet, and a trusted manufacturer partnership, Baldwinsville is focused on the future.
Plano Independent School District: Moving Toward Electrification
In Texas, Mark Skinner, director of transportation for Plano ISD, oversees a massive operation:
“We drive about three million miles a year,” he said. “The district covers about 100 square miles. We have 300 school buses, plus over 300 white fleet vehicles, which include vehicles from suburbans to maintenance trucks. We run 220 routes transporting 12,000 students daily, supporting more than 70 campuses, with about 388 to 400 staff.”
For Plano, IC Bus has been central for decades.
“The majority of our fleet is IC Bus, and that’s been the case for 20 years,” Skinner said. “We’ve been working with IC for more than 25 years.”
The Path to Electric
Plano has recently stepped into electrification with IC’s CE Series.
“We’re still running diesel, but we’re just now starting with EVs,” Skinner said.
That decision was influenced by both product fit and funding opportunities, he said.
“One of our first questions was battery life and range,” he explained. “When IC showed us we could get around 100 miles, that started to fit into our routes. Grants were another big factor: we used an EPA grant and a Texas VEMP grant, which gave us several million dollars to offset costs. EVs are significantly more expensive than diesels, so the grants helped us take that first step.”
The result: “We now have 10 general education EVs and six EV special needs buses, all from one purchase.”
Training for a New Era
Bringing EVs into a long-standing diesel operation required training across the board.
“IC Bus provides comprehensive onboarding that includes drivers, technicians, mechanics, office staff, tow companies, and even first responders,” Skinner said. “We trained local first responders so they know exactly what to do if they encounter one of our EVs in an emergency. That proactive training has been excellent—far more extensive than anything you’d see with diesel.”
Mechanics were initially wary, Skinner said, but are optimistic and adapting.
“Once they went through the training, they realized it’s basically the same vehicle, just with different fluids and systems,” he said. “That helped them relax and understand it wasn’t as big an obstacle as they feared.”
Early Results and Community Feedback
Plano has been deliberate in its EV rollout.
“We’re starting small, rotating EVs into mid-day routes,” Skinner said. “With their 100-mile range and the ability to charge mid-day, we’re expanding them into general ed and special needs routes.”
Drivers noticed immediate differences: “The biggest takeaway is how quiet they are,” he added. “With diesel, you’ve got a loud engine and loud AC. The EVs are surprisingly quiet, which lets drivers hear more of what’s happening on the bus. They were hesitant at first, but once they drove them, they saw that the EVs had just as much power as diesel. The feedback has been very positive.”
Community members have also noticed.
“During a recent bond process, many parents and community members specifically asked us to consider EVs and going green,” he said. “The district responded, and I haven’t heard a single negative comment. People are proud that Plano is thinking forward.”
Infrastructure and Planning
Infrastructure is often the most difficult part of electrification, but Plano had support.
“We worked closely with IC Bus and our dealer, Longhorn IC as well as In-Charge,” Skinner said. “They didn’t just sell us buses. They helped us plan everything. We brought in facilities staff, district leadership, and even our local power company early in the process. IC knew the stages and walked us through each one, from site planning to installing charging stations. It was very smooth.”
The Path Forward
As Plano is still early in its EV journey, Skinner will continue to evaluate and monitor the fleet operations.
“Right now, we’re focused on tracking the benefits and learning from the experience,” he said. “It’s a big investment, and we will monitor costs and infrastructure for future planning. We’re excited, and I know EVs will be part of our considerations moving forward.”
Two Districts, One Manufacturer
From New York to Texas, from diesel reliability to electric innovation, Baldwinsville and Plano illustrate the diverse ways districts are leaning on manufacturers like IC Bus to meet their communities’ needs. For Baldwinsville, the emphasis is on continuity, training, and trusted dealer relationships. For Plano, it is about charting a path into electrification with support from IC Bus and its dealer network.