Board questions transportation opt-in, fees and contract exposure as costs rise

Summary

Board members pressed staff on the district pproach to transportation opt-in data, feasibility of charging families for general-education transportation, and contractual exposure from recently ordered buses; staff said fees would need to be around $800 nd up per student to fully offset costs and that many bus orders have been placed.

Board members used the May 27 budget work session to press staff on transportation costs and whether the district can better collect fees or enforce an "opt-in" policy to reduce routes and costs.

What staff said about opt-in and enforcement: student transportation staff said the district has collected "opt-in" transportation forms but historically has not routed based strictly on that data because the system lacks reliable enforcement mechanisms to deny a student service if a family later claims they need it. Johan Thap Siddiqui, director of student transportation, said two years ago the district achieved 92% participation in the opt-in form (97% of respondents opted in). Last year opt-in responses dropped to 79% with 21% nonresponsive; staff opted-in the nonresponsive students to avoid leaving a family without service. Staff said operational challenges (families showing up at bus stops, card/scanner…

Board questions transportation opt-in, fees and contract exposure as costs rise

Summary

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