School committee asks superintendent to press state, federal lawmakers on homeless‑student transportation costs

The Lowell School Committee voted May 20 to ask the superintendent to send a letter to state and federal legislators requesting action to address rising out‑of‑district transportation costs associated with homeless students under the McKinney‑Vento law.

Member Dominic Conway led the discussion after flagging unusually high contract figures for transporting small numbers of homeless students to neighboring districts. He asked the administration to explain why, for example, two homeless students' rides to Acton could cost roughly $30,000 on the vendor paperwork. "I understand mileage and gas and split shifts," Conway said, but called the totals “a huge burden.”

Director Pinto explained the cost drivers: bidding and vendor availability, mileage, special‑needs vehicles with mandated safety equipment, insurance, possible monitors and split shifts that create additional labor cost. Superintendent Skinner and other administrators said the district is obligated under federal McKinney‑Vento protections to provide continuity of schooling and to share transportation costs with sending districts in some cases.

After discussion, Conway moved — and the committee approved on roll call — a motion directing the superintendent to draft and send a letter to the city’s state and federal delegation to seek relief or policy change to address the transportation funding strain (vote recorded as 7 ayes). Several members said districts across the region face similar pressures and that legislative attention is needed.

The committee did not change contract awards at the meeting; members requested follow‑up information on specific vendor charges and asked administration to investigate whether special transportation needs or vendor billing practices explained high unit costs.