CANAJOHARIE — District residents on Tuesday approved a Canajoharie Central School proposal to lease three 66-passenger buses for a five-year term by a vote of 73 to 7.

The buses will be paid for using the district’s bus replacement fund without any impact on the local property taxes. The positive vote allows the district to continue  to lease rather than purchase buses.

The district will lease three buses at an annual cost not to exceed $17,500 each for a total of $52,500. The lease will begin on July 1, 2013 and run through June 30, 2018.

Leasing buses assures that the district is putting the newest and safest buses on the road, while helping ensure the safety of children, said Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw.