17 New Electric School Buses Coming to Hyde Park?

A new $8 million school bus proposal will go up for a vote in Hyde Park, New York soon leaving many residents angry that it is even being considered.

The Board of Education of the Hyde Park School District (HPSD) has announced that a proposal has been summited for the public to vote on in which the school district is proposing that it spends close to $8 million to acquire seventeen (17) electric school buses and vehicle chargers.

Hyde Park, NY School District Purchasing Electric School Buses

The proposition, which was submitted at the Board of Education meeting on September 26th proposes that the district be authorized to acquire 17 electric school buses and related vehicle chargers at a maximum cost of $7,985,500. A portion of that is to be financed with an expenditure of $2,270,250 from the Capital Reserve Fund and grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and New York School Bus Incentive Program.

When to Vote on Proposition

Qualified voters with the school district will be able to vote on the proposition by paper ballot, absentee ballot, early mail-in ballot, or military ballot on Tuesday, November 19th at the Haviland Middle School gymnasium located on Haviland Road in Hyde Park, NY from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m.

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As the proposition was submitted many in the Hyde Park district took to social media to voice their feelings with many stating they wouldn't be supporting it. One comment said,

"Definitely will be voting NO! I mean are they absolutely insane… we cant get updated anything, but we can get electric freaking buses you have got to be kidding. Keep sitting in ur air-conditioned offices while we  all die of heat exhaustion in the kitchen with poor ventilation and outdated equipment.."

 

New York Legislator Speaks Out

Ben Geller who has served as the District 4 Legislator representing the people of Hyde Park, Staatsburg, & Poughkeepsie posted his feelings on Facebook saying "I will be a solid no vote for electric school buses."

He goes on to ask the district to mail out something regarding the proposition to residents as he fears many don't even know it is being considered,

"Unless you have been paying attention, you probably didn’t know about this vote on November 19th. Many elderly taxpayers don’t have access to go to meetings or the ability to access the internet. Something should be mailed to everyone."

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At this time it's unclear if the HPSD is planning to mail out a reminder or not. Would you support your school district in purchasing new electric school buses? Let us know your thoughts through our station app above and we may use your comments for a future article.