A proposition to purchase new school buses will be on the ballot on May 19. The bus proposition would allow the district to replace aging school buses. The plan is to purchase nine large 70-passenger diesel buses at a cost not to exceed $1,633,239.
Approximately 65% of the borrowing cost for the purchase is covered by state aid, resulting in a final maximum cost to the district of roughly $579,800 for the nine vehicles.
The district is not planning to add to its fleet of electric school buses in 2026-27 due to ongoing performance and charge management issues impacting service miles. The district currently has an EV fleet of 10 large buses. The EV buses have been out of service, on average, 66 days each during the school year. The district remains committed to clean fuel vehicles and will resume EV bus purchases when vehicle cost, charging efficiency, and service costs improve enough to support a larger EV bus fleet.
The Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School, in Gym A. Absentee and early voting ballots will be available.