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District transportation director outlines possible state reimbursement change, bus-routing software bid and fleet status
Summary
District staff told trustees about a state proposal to shift most transportation reimbursements to a flat 85% rate, a statewide request for bus-routing software, recent bus purchases, lead times and declining daily ridership.
The Emmett Independent District’s transportation director briefed the board on several items that could affect long-term transportation budgets and operations: a proposed state change to transportation reimbursements, a possible statewide purchase of bus-routing software, recent vehicle acquisitions and ridership figures.
The director said the Idaho State Department of Education is proposing to reimburse districts at a flat 85% rate for all school transportation costs, replacing the current system of mixed reimbursement percentages (parts, fuel and other line items are reimbursed at different rates). The presenter said the change, if enacted, would begin in fiscal year 2026 (school year 2026–27) and that the state’s current reimbursement model is retrospective and can take about 15 to 18 months to pay districts.
On routing software, the director told trustees the state plans a single RFP to purchase a routing and student-tracking system for all districts; the district’s current vendor, BusRite, is among the companies being discussed. Emmett implemented BusRite this school year and has a three-year contract; district staff said using a state-provided system would be free to districts but that a district choosing a different vendor would not receive state reimbursement for that software. The state’s procurement, if completed, would not take effect until the 2027–28 school year, the director said.
Staff also reported fleet and cost updates: the district took delivery of two new buses this season and said bus ordering lead times are currently about 12 to 15 months. The director said older buses (13 years and older) cease to generate depreciation-based replacement funding; the district reported a majority of its fleet is under 12 years old. The presentation noted special-education buses cost more to purchase (the director said roughly an additional $25,000 versus a general-education bus) and that individual bus tires cost about $700 each.
Board members asked whether a change to an 85% flat reimbursement would cover inflation on parts and fuel. The director said the state is trying to keep pace but that reimbursement updates can lag price increases. Trustees requested the director continue to monitor state action and to advocate where helpful.
Separately, the director reported average daily ridership on district buses is about 750 students (morning and afternoon combined) and that the district is monitoring counts and special-education routes — staff said the district had added a fourth special-education bus and may need a fifth.
