Framingham reports ongoing bus shortages and $76.5M in FY25 capital encumbrances

Lincoln Lynch, executive director of finance and operations for Framingham Public Schools, briefed the committee on capital work and the district's transportation operation.

On capital, Lynch said the district continues design work for districtwide fire-alarm upgrades, has completed paving and roof work at several schools, and is advancing Farley solar design, Juniper Hill design, and Walsh Windows phase 1 for the coming summer construction season. "We currently are at $76,548,472 either spent or encumbered in purchase orders or requisitions," Lynch said, noting a 44.35% spend rate for FY25 capital.

Lynch then reviewed the transportation report covering Oct. 23 to Dec. 11. The district averaged 52.59 buses in daily operation during the 32-day window; the contract expectation is 77 buses, leaving a typical shortfall of about 24 buses. "When you see 52 here or 51, that's a bus not on the road," he said, explaining that routes are combined when drivers are short and students arrive later.

Lynch provided punctuality metrics: elementary morning lateness averaged 5.52% (defined as one minute after the first bell), elementary afternoon lateness 38.06% (10 minutes after the last bell), middle-school morning lateness about 1%, middle-school afternoon 38.91%, and high-school punctuality was effectively 0% late. Athletics trips were accommodated on 34 of 47 requested runs during the period reported.

Lynch said the trend is improving as drivers gain experience with routes, but he emphasized that the operation remains below expectations and that more work is required to reach contract staffing levels. The committee did not take votes on capital projects at the meeting; Lynch said further updates will follow as projects progress and the MSBA process continues.