Superintendents and town leaders press for full funding, reforms to regional school transportation

School superintendents, union leaders and municipal officials told the Joint Committee on Education that rising transportation costs are a major and growing fiscal burden for regional and non‑regional districts and urged lawmakers to fund regional transportation fully and study procurement practices.

"This broken promise is forcing regional districts to divert precious resources away from our classrooms," said Brian Forgett (Triton superintendent), referencing the statutory requirement that regional districts provide K–12 transportation under M.G.L. ch. 71, §16C and the Commonwealth’s historical commitment to reimburse those costs.

Why it matters: witnesses described multi‑year shortfalls, rapid year‑to‑year increases, and a supplier market in many parts of the state with little competition. They said that when districts must sign urgent contracts — for special‑education placements, students experiencing homelessness or new foster‑care placements — vendors can charge far higher daily rates.

Superintendents Brad Morgan (North Middlesex) and Brian Forgett (Triton) described how regional districts must budget for 100% of potential ridership (even when actual riders are substantially fewer) and that contract renewals with limited bidders have produced steep increases. "Until there is a legitimate bidding process in place, we will continue to pay top prices," Morgan said; he said he had raised the issue with the state auditor and the inspector general years ago and that concerns remain unresolved.

Representatives from Bridgewater‑Raynham and Plymouth said transportation shortfalls have translated to staff layoffs and program cuts; Dennis‑Yarmouth teachers said the district recorded a $404,804 underfunding one year and a $296,480 shortfall another year. The Boston Teachers Union and AFT Massachusetts told the committee that urban and sprawling districts also face growing per‑pupil transportation costs and supported grant or reimbursement relief targeted to districts with costs above a state threshold.

Several witnesses recommended both immediate funding fixes and parallel procurement reforms: proposals included statutory steps to ensure reimbursements approach 100%, a state study or Inspector General review of contracting practices, and pilot changes (for example, an opt‑in ridership model) to reduce unneeded seats and routes.

Ending: The committee signaled interest in studying procurement and statutory options. Chairs asked superintendents and associations to provide data and potential statutory language for a systemic fix rather than a series of local exemptions.