Portsmouth tables student-transportation resolution as statewide study seeks $7 million in savings

The Portsmouth School Committee discussed the work of a statewide transportation study commission and voted 7-0 to table the committee’s student-transportation resolution so the district can consider pending state legislation that would address regional redraws and create a fund for high-cost long-distance transportation.

The committee member who briefed the body said the commission, hosted by state lawmakers, identified more than $7,000,000 in potential savings across the state by changing several rules and regional boundaries. About $3,500,000 of that projected savings would come from revisiting the size of transportation regions, where some districts currently face very long commutes.

The speaker said proposed changes could allow use of smaller-capacity vehicles, adjust licensing or regulatory requirements, and redefine regional boundaries to shorten travel distances. The commission has already produced two resolutions of support in Portsmouth and is expected to publish bill numbers for the region-size proposals.

Committee members discussed whether proposed changes would affect private-school transportation; the committee was told that current commission proposals would continue to permit transportation for private-school students but limit eligibility to travel within newly drawn regions rather than across expanded regional lines.

Given the prospect that a state bill will include right-sizing and a proposal to create a dedicated fund to cover unusually high costs tied to homeless, foster-care and long-distance special education transportation, the committee voted to table the local resolution and await the state legislation rather than redrafting local language.

The motion to table was seconded and approved 7-0.