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Yorktown superintendent warns bus‑electrification mandate could cost district $42–46 million
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Hatter told the board that an independent study estimates electrifying the district's bus fleet and infrastructure at $42–46 million, with annual charging costs near $600,000 versus current fuel costs of about $120,000 — a hit he said would absorb roughly 30% of the district's maximum allowable tax levy.
Dr. Hatter said an independent feasibility study shows electrifying Yorktown Central School District's bus fleet and installing charging infrastructure would cost an estimated $42 million to $46 million, with annual electricity costs of roughly $600,000 — compared with about $120,000 the district now spends on diesel fuel.
The superintendent said the estimate came from I & F Associates and stressed that the expense is far beyond what the district can absorb under the tax‑cap environment. "That is a lot of money — money that we certainly don't have as a school district," he said, adding the projected annual charging cost "represents about 30% of our maximum allowable tax levy." (Dr. Hatter)
Why it matters: the state requires that any new bus purchased after 2027 be electric and that the full fleet be electrified by 2035, a timeline Dr. Hatter said will likely force districts to confront substantial capital and operating cost increases. He told the board he has shared the report with local elected officials and planned outreach with Assemblymember Levenberg to discuss the mandate's implications.
Budget context and next steps: Dr. Hatter said the district will post the full study on its website and continue discussions with state and local officials about funding options. He also noted rising electricity bills district‑wide, with recent months showing lower usage but substantially higher cost — a trend that amplifies the operating cost risk of an electric fleet.
Board members asked questions about timing and local advocacy; no formal action was taken at the meeting beyond sharing the report and scheduling further conversations. The district's final budget adoption is scheduled for April 20, with a public hearing May 11 and a budget vote on May 19.
