MARATHON, N.Y. (WHCU) — Voters have rejected the proposed purchase of three electric school buses in Marathon. 

The final tally from Monday’s vote in the Marathon Central School District was Yes 78, No 243. District officials say they will now have to forfeit the $1.2 million grant that was awarded last year. The proposal would mostly have been covered by federal funding, with the district contributing roughly $150,000.

“While the district was awarded the Clean Bus Grant in 2022, it did not cover the entire expenses related to the three electric buses,” said Marathon School District Superintendent Andy Buchsbaum. “We felt that to be transparent to our community, we held a public forum and put the proposition out for public vote to authorize the use of our reserves to pay the difference. The community’s voice was heard, and the proposition was defeated. The district will have to forfeit the grant and will not purchase the three electric buses. How this will play out between now and when the mandate is set to begin in 2027 is undetermined at this time.”

Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul passed legislation that requires all new school bus purchases must be electric by the year 2027. The entirety of school bus fleets must be electric by 2035.