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School transportation costs top $45 million; councilors press for efficiency review and audit of First Student contract
Summary
Springfield School Department officials told the council school transportation costs will increase by about $2.4 million for FY26 to more than $45 million, citing contract escalators and charter-school routing. Councilors and internal audit staff said they will pursue further reviews of contract performance and system efficiency.
School officials told the Springfield City Council on May 12 that the school transportation budget is increasing and that contract escalators, charter-school growth and special transportation for homeless students are driving costs.
Chief Pat Roach said transportation costs rose by $2.4 million (a 5.31% increase) for FY26. He said First Student and Vanpool — the district’s two largest providers — increased rates roughly by their CPI escalators (First Student 2.9%, Vanpool 3.0%). Roach…
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