District reports 1,496 McKinney‑Vento students and ongoing vendor and invoice issues for transportation

The district's McKinney‑Vento coordinator reported that Ferguson‑Florissant currently serves 1,496 students experiencing homelessness as of April 22, 2025, and that this figure is roughly 400 fewer than the previous year.

Staff said transportation for McKinney‑Vento students is one of the program's largest costs. The district has used its own buses when possible but has begun contracting with outside vendors (including a vendor referenced as Axle Assist and two others) to provide transportation when routes exceed district capacity. The coordinator said the district has issued invoices to partner districts for cost‑sharing under McKinney‑Vento rules and has begun recouping funds; roughly $38,000 has been recovered to date, while additional invoices remain outstanding.

Board members asked for a district-by-district invoice report and clearer accounting. The coordinator said the district purchased new software to track invoices and would deliver a per-district receivables report over the coming days. Staff also explained the McKinney‑Vento eligibility process, saying the act allows students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence to continue enrollment and to receive transportation; cost responsibility is shared with the sending district per established mileage formulas.

The district identified implementation actions taken this year: a three-person team to manage McKinney‑Vento placements and attendance, an invoicing process with follow-up notices, and outreach to partner districts seeking payment. Staff asked board members to contact peers in other districts to expedite outstanding reimbursements and said several checks were expected imminently.

The presentation was for information only; board members asked for recurring updates and the detailed invoice breakdown.