Proposition 2 authorizes the District to purchase four replacement buses: two 66-passenger buses, one 29-passenger bus, and one 20-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus.  These are all traditional gas/diesel vehicles. The proposition would authorize up to $615,000 for the purchases. 

 One of the District's most important responsibilities is transporting students safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. A reliable bus fleet is essential because, for many students, the school bus is their first and last school experience each day. The District follows a 10-year bus replacement plan to ensure student safety, maintain operational reliability, and manage costs responsibly.

No. The buses in Proposition 2 are conventional gas or diesel vehicles. The District is not purchasing zero-emission or electric buses as part of this proposal. The current plan focuses on maintaining a reliable, cost-effective transportation fleet that meets the District's operational needs while remaining fiscally responsible to taxpayers.

In May 2026, New York State adopted a five-year delay to its zero-emission school bus mandate as part of the final state budget. Under the revised timeline, school districts now have until July 2032 (instead of 2027) before they are required to purchase only zero-emission buses.. This delay was the result of significant advocacy by school leaders across New York, including superintendents, transportation directors, and statewide associations who raised serious concerns about cost, infrastructure readiness, and bus availability.

Grand Island will continue to monitor State guidance, NYSERDA implementation plans, and available funding and waiver provisions, and will plan responsibly for the eventual transition. Any future zero-emission bus purchases will be brought to the community through a separate proposition at the appropriate time.

A planned replacement schedule helps the District:

• Offset rising maintenance costs on older buses
• Maintain strong safety inspection ratings
• Avoid issues related to frame and body corrosion
• Take advantage of updated safety features and equipment 
• Maximize trade-in value before buses become too costly to maintain.

Grand Island currently maintains a 100% Department of Transportation inspection rating. School buses are inspected every three to four weeks by the New York State Department of Transportation. If a safety concern is identified, the bus is immediately removed from service until repairs are completed.

The District purchases a 10-year warranty for every large bus and a 3-year warranty for every small bus. These warranties cover mechanical components and help protect taxpayers from unexpected repair costs.

Grand Island currently operates 55 school buses. Four buses are already 11 years old and out of warranty. An additional five buses are in their final year of warranty. Within the next two years, 17 more buses will enter their final warranty year.

Within two years, 26 buses—or nearly 47% of the District's fleet—will be out of warranty. Delaying replacements could lead to increased repair costs, more frequent service interruptions, and greater risk of buses being removed from service due to inspection concerns or corrosion.

 District buses travel approximately 575,000 miles annually. 40 routes travel off Grand Island every school day, placing significant wear and tear on the fleet.

Without a consistent replacement schedule, the fleet will become older and more expensive to maintain. Older buses are more susceptible to corrosion, mechanical failures, and inspection issues that could take vehicles out of service and disrupt transportation.

A planned replacement schedule helps avoid large, unexpected repair expenses, reduces long-term maintenance costs, preserves trade-in value, and allows the District to budget responsibly for transportation needs over time.

New bus purchases are eligible for approximately 70% state aid reimbursement, meaning the district is responsible for covering only about 30% of the total cost.

Proposition 2 authorizes the District to finance the purchases through serial bonds, bond anticipation notes, or installment purchase contracts with terms of up to five years, as determined by the Board of Education.