Cassadaga Valley Central School is currently working on preparing for four new electric buses while also working on planning sessions to continue to follow the state mandate. Submitted photo

SINCLAIRVILLE — Cassadaga Valley Central School is among the list of local schools working on making preparations for the state mandates regarding electric buses.

The state mandate still stands that schools will only be allowed to purchase electric buses by 2027 and required to have an all electric fleet by 2035. Kristin Sercu, transportation director for Cassadaga Valley and Pine Valley, said the district has been working on a full fleet planning session, which so far has involved a lot of meetings.

“After reviewing our previous fleet rotation plan, we met with our vendor to gather data, make projections, and share information with the administration and the board of education on the most reasonable choice for the district,” Sercu said. “Our fleet is currently a mix of diesel and gas buses, ranging in passenger capacity from 14 to 60 riders. Plans for adding EVs are based on our current utility capacity, fleet rotation, available funding, and taxpayers’ decisions.”

So far, Sercu said projections for adding electric buses to the school’s bus fleet are looking great. Sercu reported that the district knows what their current facility can support and the work that needs to be done to move beyond that.

“We have started the work to put in place the infrastructure and chargers to support our first four EV buses,” Sercu said. “We also anticipate delivery of those buses when the infrastructure project is complete.”

Like everyone, Sercu said the district is continuing to learn about electric vehicles and buses. She said they are continuing to rely on experts and learn from the market. The district has determined that they have bus routes and sports shuttles and the range of an electric bus can support. Educational wise, Sercu said they are educating staff and first responders on safety surrounding these buses, along with mechanics on how to work on them.

“Technology is constantly growing,” Sercu said. “We take the mandate from the state very seriously, but we are also mindful that there may be changes. We will continue to learn about funding opportunities, growing technologies, and stay on top of what is best for our students’ transportation needs.”

Superintendent Tammy Mangus said while the school is still working on securing electric buses within the timeline of the state mandate, and have so far secured four through NYSERDA funding, while also working on finding funding and location for charging stations, some aspects of the state’s plan still are cause for concerns and questions.

“I cannot help but question the logic of the timelines set into motion to move public fleets to zero emissions,” Mangus said. “We do not unilaterally disagree with the call to adapt to zero emission buses, but with the current funding pathways, school districts are spending an exorbitant amount of time chasing the appropriate pathways to obtain these vehicles. Every decision has consequences, both good and bad. This one had several hurdles coupled with an aggressive timeline, without support mechanisms and funding pathways being laid out simultaneously. Although it is important for schools and districts to consider and work toward the move to zero emission vehicles, when only 50% of NYS students and 39% of Chautauqua County students read at or above grade level, we must strike a balance as to where our educational energy, funding and priorities should be placed.”

Overall, Sercu said that the district’s transportation team wants to ensure their choices are what is best for Cassadaga Valley families, and are always willing to answer questions or share information on what is being planned. Sercu invited anyone with questions to reach out to them.