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New York state's road map for school districts is starting to resemble the Titanic's road map across the Atlantic Ocean.
The recently released document shows a possible route to begin electrifying bus fleets, but much like the ill-fated ocean liner the state ignores the hazards lurking in the dark.
Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, makes a good point about simple availability. The costs for electric school buses is already higher than diesel-powered buses, but will costs go up when the limited supply of buses available on is being purchased by not only New York state's 600 school distircts as well as other states trying to make the move to electric school buses at the same time?
The road map assumes buses can be charged during down times and be available to make their afternoon runs. But that doesn't take into account extra-curricular runs, late bus trips for districts that offer them and districts like Jamestown that have athletic trips that will require charges during the trip to get students back home.
Financially, state aid timetables for bus purchase aid is extended to 12 years to reflect the higher cost of the buses. But just like a seven-year loan on a new personal vehicle, does a 12-year repayment cycle make sense if the bus won't last 12 years?
Other districts, like Bemus Point, appear to be paying for the new buses without state aid because of their district's property values. Having to do so will undoubtedly affect educational offerings, because even affluent districts can't increase taxes too much before taxpayers start voting budgets down.
As is the case with most of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act programs to convert to an electric power grid, there is a need to begin moving toward electrification of buses. But documents that act as a cheerleader for the state's plans rather than deal with the serious issues the transition creates don't do anyone any favors.
The iceberg warnings are being issued, but the state continues plowing full speed ahead. We know how this story ends.