Board of Education - Work and Special Sessions - March 10th

The Garden City Public Schools Board of Education held work and special sessions on March 10, 2026, focusing primarily on budget planning and capital improvement projects. A key procurement-related discussion involved a feasibility study presentation by Wendell, an architecture and engineering firm, on transitioning the district's 66-bus fleet to zero-emission electric buses. The study detailed the state mandate requiring all new bus purchases to be zero emission by 2027, with a two-year waiver available. The total estimated cost for full fleet electrification, including infrastructure upgrades and fire protection, was approximately $30 million before incentives and about $28.7 million after incentives. A pilot project to purchase three electric buses and chargers was proposed at a cost of $404,000. The board discussed funding strategies, including financing and grants from New York State and the local utility PSCG. Additionally, the board reviewed the 2026-27 budget overview, including administrative and capital budgets, with emphasis on maintaining a tax levy within the state cap and continuing capital projects such as roof replacements and air conditioning upgrades. The board also approved the use of capital reserve funds and discussed adding snow makeup days to the school calendar. No contract awards or vendor selections were finalized during the meeting, but the feasibility study and budget presentations set the stage for future procurement decisions related to fleet electrification and facility improvements.