23-03-2025
School officials share concerns with state representatives during Lobby Day
Mar. 23—MASSENA — School officials from the 18 component districts of the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services had an opportunity to share their concerns with elected officials during a recent Lobby Day held at the BOCES Center.
Massena Central School Board member Patricia F. Murphy and Superintendent Ronald P. Burke were among the attendees who met with Sen. Mark C. Walczyk, R-Watertown, Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, and Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River.
"Dan Stec (Sen. Daniel G. Stec, R-Queensbury) tried to come in via Zoom, but was unsuccessful," Murphy told school board members.
She said that among the topics they covered were the transition to zero-emission buses, the use of personal devices in schools, workforce shortages, an increased aid ratio for BOCES Career and Technical Education and staff, and foundation aid.
Murphy said there were concerns over the state mandate for electric buses. New York's enacted 2022-23 state budget included a requirement that, by 2035, all student transportation be done with zero-emission vehicles. Under the law, all school district purchases or leases of new vehicles for pupil transportation must be zero-emission by July 1, 2027.
School districts may request a delay in the implementation of the July 1, 2027, deadline and be granted an extension for up to two years. But, all purchases and leases by school districts or transportation contractors will need to be electric by July 2029.
"There were concerns about the thickness of cement pads in the bus garages because these are significantly more heavy buses and if there wasn't a sufficient cement pad, they would crack and we would need to address that," Murphy said.
Travel distance for the buses was also addressed.
"In our part of New York state, weather is a big factor, and making sure that the students are warm enough and able to travel out and back, which also led to the number of bus runs. Some superintendents who did have electric buses were finding that these buses were unable to do multiple runs. So, that would influence the fleet size," she said.
Cost was another concern.
"They're almost three times more expensive than the traditional diesel buses. Also, the state may not have enough funds to reimburse districts," Murphy said.
In addition, she said, "The life of the buses may fall short."
"Typically, we tend to trade in our buses and get a certain amount of money back, which helps offset the costs. But, if we bond for seven years, some are afraid that these won't last that long. The typical theoretical distance is 1% of charge per mile, but that's only in the best of conditions," she said. "And then Mr. Blankenbush brought up on YouTube that there were videos of electric fires on buses and the danger to students that could happen."
School officials also discussed cell phones in school with the state representatives. In her proposed budget, Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul allocates $13.5 million for cell phone pouches and cubbies to restrict the use of devices throughout the school day. The New York State United Teachers union supports the governor's proposal.
But, Murphy said, that's not the case locally.
"It was the consensus of the superintendents that the governor not mandate this, that it should be left to the locals. Superintendents would like to have local control," she said. "If it is mandated, they are afraid that it will be an unfunded mandate. So, we will be required to buy some sort of device pouch which, right now, they're very expensive and we might not be able to absorb that cost."
Board member Zachary J. Monroe said the pouches cost about $30 each.
"Multiply that times 2,500 students, it's $62,500 in cell phone pouches for our school district," he said.
Foundation aid was also discussed during the meeting.
"Some of the smaller districts will not be able to operate in the near future if the aid formula is not totally revamped. One assemblyman admitted that even he cannot figure out how to budget with this type of formulation," Murphy said.
