SHERBURNE – During a Sherburne-Earlville Central School District Board of Education meeting Monday night, the board discussed the possibility of replacing the school district's bus fleet.

The issue of what to do with the fleet has been discussed for several months and the board has been leaning more towards the option of leasing rather than purchasing to replace a majority of the school's current fleet.

The benefit of new buses are numerous, including increased safety and greater fuel efficiency, according to school officials. If new buses are leased, the district could potentially save $1,670 annually in fuel costs per school bus. It is also estimated that the district would save approximately $400,000 in fuel costs over the proposed five-year lease period and subsequently, it would receive a 100 percent match in state aid for the monies saved in fuel expenses, which could then be used as a down payment to permanently acquire buses should the board decide to purchase them at the end of the lease period.