Portland school board voting on building electric fences to protect bus fleet

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Break-ins at the Portland Public Schools mini school bus facility have gotten worse over the last two years as thousands of dollars of fuel and school bus parts have been stolen.

Now, the school board is preparing to act, as they prepare to vote on whether or not to replace a fence that guards the busses along Marine Drive.

The current fence is five feet tall, while the new fence would be twice the size and be electrified.

The new fence would cost $200,000 over five years. The district's assistant director of transportation says it's the electricity would be enough to deter burglars without killing them. He said they've planned steps to keep employees safe as well.

Currently, the district is paying $14,000 a month in private security to patrol the bus lot, as well as another lot that's been targeted. But theives have been able to cut through other sections of fences.

The district didn't say how much they have spent on bus repairs over the last couple of years, but the transportation division told KOIN 6 News it's nearly $30,000, that's even after PPS bought a $30,000 machine to do catalytic converter replacements themselves.

The vote is at 7 p.m.