Alabama school district grapples with strained budget due to Trump's tariffs on school bus purchases
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The struggle of the Trump administration's series of new tariffs has found its way to a school district in central Alabama.
Superintendent Lyman Woodfin discussed with board members the new $2,500 tariff on six of the eleven school buses they acquired last fall.
Just last month, President Donald Trump declared a 25% tariff on automobiles, set to take effect on May 3rd. For now, state funding is responsible for approximately $76,000 of the cost of procuring a school bus.
AUTomotive TARIFFS ANNOUNCED
Superintendent Lyman Woodfin points out that the added expense derives from the six buses being manufactured after the tariff date, hence subjected to the $2,500 manufacturing tariff. (FOX NEWS DIGITAL)
The unforeseen charge poses a significant challenge to the district's tight budget.
"I'm not pleased with this," she informed the board during the April 15 meeting. "We received communication that the federal government is trying to levy a tariff on the buses we bought."
The cause of the additional cost, according to Woodfin, stems from the six buses being manufactured after the tariff date, subjecting them to the $2,500 tariff.
THREAT OF FURTHER TARIFFS BY TRUMP
The unexpected charge threatens to stretch the district's limited resources. (FOX NEWS DIGITAL)
The board meeting minutes reveal an invoice as part of the agenda, listing the following:
- 2 * 72-passenger buses costing $130,274 each
- 4 * 72-passenger buses costing $132,774 each, with an additional $2,500 tariff charge
- 3 special needs buses costing $146,328 each
- 2 special needs buses costing $148,828 each, with an additional $2,500 tariff charge
According to Woodfin, the district made attempts to challenge the charge with the vendor, but were given no other options but to pay up.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey informed Alabama Daily News that, to his knowledge, Autauga County is the first district to face these tariff charges, but likely not the last.
"We found out that most of the bus vendors are planning on imposing a surcharge," Mackey said. "We don't have an exact number, but it could range from $1,500 to $2,500."
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Blue Bird CEO Phil Horlock warned investors in February that tariffs could increase the cost for non-electric buses up to an additional 5%.
[1] Based on search results, Autauga County School District, Alabama, is the first documented school district affected by the Trump Administration's bus tariffs. More school districts might be affected as the administration continues to impose tariffs on automobiles.
[2] The search results do not indicate the exact number of school districts affected, as sources focus on the impact of the tariffs on the Autauga County School District.
- The automotive tariffs announced by President Donald Trump have caused a significant challenge for a school district in central Alabama, with six school buses purchased last fall now subject to a $2,500 manufacturing tariff.
- Superintendent Lyman Woodfin has expressed displeasure over the unexpected charge, stating during a board meeting that the federal government is trying to levy a tariff on the buses they bought.
- The unforeseen expense threatens to stretch the district's limited resources, with the board meeting minutes revealing an invoice listing prices for buses ranging from $130,274 to $148,828 each, with an additional $2,500 tariff charge on six of the purchased buses.
- State Superintendent Eric Mackey has suggested that other school districts might also face these tariff charges, as bus vendors are reportedly planning on imposing surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.
- Blue Bird CEO Phil Horlock previously warned investors that tariffs could increase the cost for non-electric buses up to an additional 5%.
- According to a search, Autauga County School District, Alabama, is the first documented school district affected by the Trump Administration's bus tariffs, but more school districts might be affected as the administration continues to impose tariffs on automobiles.
