SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Residents in the Spencerport Central School District soundly rejected a proposal to buy two electric buses. The referendum was feated 743-289, or 72% opposed and 289 in favor.
It’s the second time in a year in which Spencerport residents rejected the bus referendum — this time by a much larger margin. The last time, it was defeated with a 20-vote margin.
The proposition was intended to offset the local share of taxes and maintain the district’s eligibility for state and federal grant funding while New York State requires school bus fleets to be 100% zero-emission by 2035.
In explaining the referendum before the vote, the district said it would cost $982,680 for both buses, but it wouldn’t lead to an increase in taxes. That’s because up to $390,000 could come from the school bus and motor vehicle reserve fund and up to $600,000 could come from rebates from the state or the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Superintendent Ty Zinkiewich made the following statement: “We appreciate our community for taking the time to vote today and certainly respect the outcome. Moving forward, we will seek further guidance from our local and state municipal advisors in determining next steps toward meeting this legislative mandate along with clarification involving the waiver process.”
Currently, Gates-Chili is the only local district to have made significant progress toward the state mandate for entirely electric fleets, having added 5 electric buses to its fleet.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has $500 million available to help districts cover the cost of a fleet electrification plan, buses, chargers and even the electricity itself.
Related reports:
Challenges loom as New York schools slow to adopt electric buses, despite state support
Voters in Spencerport will decide whether to buy two electric school buses
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