Plano ISD staff outline hazardous-roadway map update, recommend discontinuing or restructuring fare busing

Plano ISD transportation staff presented an updated hazardous-roadway evaluation and a review of the district's fare-busing program at the board's Jan. 21 meeting, telling trustees the district will see both route reductions and new route needs after maps are updated under TASBO and TEA guidelines.

Chief of Business Services Steve Ewing told the board that TASBO's 2023 study recommended Plano ISD update its hazardous-roadway plan and file a revised plan with the Texas Education Agency so the district's maps and procedures align with state guidance. "TASBO, Texas Association of School Business Officials', completes a study of transportation department back in 2023. And from that, a recommendation was made that the district should consider updating its hazardous roadway plan and file the revised plan with TEA," Ewing said.

Why it matters: transportation is one of the district's largest recurring costs. Staff said the current transportation budget is roughly $20.6 million, including about $2.6 million in fuel and $17.1 million in personnel costs, and that TEA's current transportation alignment funding covers only about $1.5 million. Staff estimated a roughly $19.1 million gap between projected costs and state/local allotments.

What staff presented and the numbers involved - Current system: roughly 210 routes, 305 buses and 220 drivers (presented as the basis for the…