BOSTON — Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is donating a total of more than $30,000 for classroom supplies in school districts that have adopted propane school buses.

The donations are part of PERC's campaign to teach communities about the benefits of propane-powered transportation. The council partnered with the nonprofit Adopt a Classroom and journalist Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush.

“It’s clear when you talk to school administrators and transportation departments that they are saving more than just dollars and cents by going with propane buses,” Hager said. “The switch is improving their school as a whole and giving them the opportunity to invest in more teachers or school programs.”

PERC's donations will benefit teachers at seven schools this fall: Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Massachusetts; Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary in Arizona; the Broward Education Foundation in Florida; Wilkes Elementary in Oregon; Five Star Education Foundation in Colorado; St. Francis Elementary in Minnesota; and Friendswood Junior High in Texas.

The donations began on Wednesday with an event at Boston Public Schools. Hager rode a bus with students and then surprised teachers at Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School with the news that they would receive $10,000 from PERC to purchase classroom supplies. Earlier this year, Boston Public Schools bought 86 propane buses.

“As a former teacher and parent, I know that the school day begins and ends on the bus,” Hager said. “When we give our kids a safer, healthier start to the day, it can improve their entire experience in the classroom and at home, too.”