The Ballston Spa Central School District Board of Education voted April 2 to place several propositions on the district’s May ballot, including a parcel authorizing debt for school vehicles with two separate propositions — one for conventional diesel/gas vehicles and a second specifically for an electric school vehicle — and the board approved multiple other routine measures.

Board members approved the measure to place the purchase‑of‑school‑vehicles propositions on the ballot after a discussion about the long‑term cost of electrification and available state and federal funding. Board member Jason argued for approving a pilot electric vehicle, citing research presented to local boards and warning that statewide funding may be insufficient to cover full electrification costs. “New York state’s gonna run out of money,” Jason said, summarizing analysis he referenced from the Statewide School Finance Consortium.

Why it matters: The ballot will let district voters decide whether to authorize borrowing to buy vehicles, and if approved the district would issue bond anticipation notes and later bond debt to finance the purchase. The board divided the vehicle purchase into separate propositions so voters can approve diesel/gas purchases and an electric vehicle proposition independently.

Roll call and result

The board conducted a roll‑call vote on Resolution 443, authorizing placement of the vehicle bond propositions on the ballot. The board announced the following recorded votes: Mister Ryan — Aye; Miss Rodriguez — Aye; Mister Dreher — Aye; Miss Barker Flynn — Aye; Doctor Ralph Port Baskin — Aye; Miss Whittemore — Aye; Board President (Chair) — Aye. Resolution 443 passed.

Other propositions and routine approvals

The board also approved the following ballot placements and routine resolutions by voice vote: Resolution 444 (Falls and Spa Public Library proposition), Resolution 445 (extension of bid for safety and security film), Resolution 446 (agreement for professional services), Resolution 447 (obsolete equipment), Resolution 448 (establish awards/scholarships), Resolution 449 (scholarship changes), Resolution 450 (placement of students with disabilities), Resolution 451 (placement of preschool students with disabilities), and the consent agenda items 452–457. Resolution 441 (2025–26 district calendar) was adopted earlier in the meeting after brief discussion about alignment with BOCES and community holiday observances.

Board member commentary and context

Several board members urged caution about the statewide push to electrify school bus fleets without adequate ongoing funding for vehicles, charging infrastructure and training. Jason noted that the district separated the propositions so voters could approve an initial vehicle purchase and allow the district to collect operational data. He also cited figures from a presentation suggesting that converting the national fleet could require tens of billions of dollars when infrastructure is included.

Ending: With the board’s approvals, the district will place the listed propositions on the May ballot and — should voters approve any of them — proceed with the borrowing, procurement and required implementation steps described in bond and procurement law.