Common Questions & Answers
Dear Bemus Point Central School District Community,
As you know, our previous community vote to purchase two electric buses with the assistance of an EPA rebate did not pass. Since then, we have received important new information regarding the rebate program. The EPA has confirmed that our district would be eligible for a 90% rebate on necessary bus garage upgrades to accommodate electric buses for our entire fleet. This means significant cost savings for our taxpayers and a future-proofed facility for our transportation department, not to mention upgrades to transmission lines that could benefit our village, should it invest in charging stations in the future.
To take advantage of this opportunity, we have requested an extension from the EPA and are tentatively planning a second vote on March 18. This date aligns with the County Board of Elections' available voting dates.
We understand that electric buses are still a hot topic of conversation, and we want to assure you that we are diligently researching all aspects of this initiative. While we oppose state mandates, we also recognize the need to be fiscally responsible and plan for the future. Approving this purchase would allow us to proactively begin the process of upgrading our bus fleet and future-proofing our infrastructure with significant financial assistance, while a "no" vote would likely result in higher costs down the line should the mandate be upheld.
Should New York State decide to change its position on its mandated e-bus, our district would still benefit from this EPA rebate and bus garage improvements at no additional taxes to our district residents. This is a win-win for our district and community. No matter the direction we are forced down in the future, Bemus Point would be poised to make fiscally responsible decisions to benefit our students and community.
We encourage all community members to learn more about this proposal and participate in the upcoming public hearing scheduled for March 10. Your voice matters as we work together to make the best decisions for our students and taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Joe Reyda
Superintendent of Schools