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Superintendent outlines budget details; district to propose 7 buses, one electric pilot and related capital asks
Summary
Superintendent and staff reviewed instructional budget drivers, special‑education pressures and proposed capital propositions that include seven replacement buses, one bus repair vehicle and a single electric bus pilot; the board will vote on propositions at a future meeting.
Ballston Spa Central School District Superintendent Dr. Duka reviewed elements of the district’s preliminary budget on March 19, highlighting instructional spending, special‑education increases and vehicle propositions the board will send to voters.
Dr. Duka said the proposed instruction budget projects a 2.2% increase overall; special‑education costs rose materially because of out‑of‑district placements and other inputs. He said summer‑school costs previously paid with federal grants have to move back into the general fund now that those grants have ended. The district also reported ongoing consolidation of software licenses to reduce recurring costs in instructional technology.
On capital propositions, Dr. Duka said the district will ask voters to authorize the purchase of seven conventional (diesel/gas) school buses and one bus‑repair vehicle, consistent with its vehicle‑replacement cycle. For the first time the district will also propose a separate proposition to purchase a single electric school bus as a pilot; Dr. Duka described that purchase as contingent on available state grant funding. He said a sample price for the electric bus from vendors is about $481,000 and that conventional buses on state contract are roughly $171,000 each.
Dr. Duka warned of procurement and market risks: one bus supplier told districts that potential tariffs could void quoted prices, meaning the district might not be able to purchase all seven buses at the currently quoted price if costs increase. He also said the district will install a charger inside the bus garage to support the pilot electric bus; state building aid may offset part of that building work. Longer‑term infrastructure to charge a full fleet — trenching and expanded electrical capacity for roughly 80 buses — was discussed as a larger capital question with an estimated cost in the low‑millions and one that would be considered in a broader capital project.
During Q&A Dr. Duka said the district will not buy the electric bus if the grant funding is not available: "If we don't get that grant, we're not buying the bus," he told the board. He also described training plans for mechanics and drivers and said bus manufacturers and vendors provide training, though travel and time costs may be required.
Dr. Duka said the district faces a projected revenue pressure tied to a prior local payment that has fallen and is forecasting a $720,000 decrease in that payment next year, a factor shaping budget choices. He said assumed state aid was conservative and that staffing and benefit projections will be covered in upcoming budget presentations. The board will consider resolutions to place the propositions on the ballot at its next meeting.
