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Superintendents, Towns and Teachers Urge State to Fix School Transportation Funding and Market Issues
Summary
Witnesses at the education committee hearing urged full funding of regional school transportation and new remedies for soaring bus costs, pointing to shrinking competition among providers, one-bid procurements, and large local budget impacts.
A broad coalition of superintendents, municipal officials, educators and union leaders urged the Joint Committee on Education to support bills that would restore or increase state reimbursement for school transportation and to examine market practices that drive up costs.
Triton Regional Superintendent Brian Forgett told the panel the original regionalization incentive included full reimbursement for K–12 regional transportation but, “the state's commitment to fully reimburse regional transportation costs has historically fallen short.” Brad Morgan, North Middlesex superintendent, said regional districts must provide “a seat for every student regardless of whether or not they're regular riders,” yet contracts are bid on 100% ridership and reimbursement has recently ranged from roughly 80% to 90%.
Witnesses described two linked problems: (1) high and…
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