Granville CSD mid-year vote passes
GRANVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- On January 8, the Granville Central School District held a mid-year vote to create two savings accounts. As a result of the vote, both accounts will be made, the district announced on January 9.
One account will be made for buying electric buses, under the "Bus Purchase Reserve Fund" and the second account will be made for repairs and unexpected emergencies, under the "Capital Reserve Fund." Both passed, 156 to 117 and 150 to 122, respectively.
Each account will hold up to $5 million. The district said before the money can be used in either account, the Board of Education must approve it, but the district is not required to keep adding money or to put money into the accounts.
According to school officials, upcoming state regulations urged them to make a plan for the future. The vote was held because "New York State is requiring all school districts to switch to electric buses by 2035. This means Granville will need to buy new electric buses, which cost about $400,000 each, as well as pay for things like charging stations, electricity costs, and training staff to take care of them," the district stated during the vote.
State funding for the district will also likely decrease. "The Governor has warned that state aid to schools will go down within the next couple of years, so the district needs to plan for less money coming from the state," officials said.
The funds for the accounts, however, will be sourced from various funds and sales coming in and out of the district. School officials said the bus fund will be funded through available fund balance, state aid reimbursement and proceeds from the sale of used busses. The Capital Reserve Fund will be funded through the district's general fund or the available fund balance, with the Board of Education's determination.
To see a full list of prepared questions and answers from the district surrounding the vote, visit the district's website.