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Monroe board debates restoring middle‑school athletics busing as driver shortages persist
Summary
Board members considered restoring a transportation line for middle‑school interscholastic athletics (initially $15,000) but expressed concern about contractor driver shortages and urged staff to get quotes from Allstar and alternate carriers; some members suggested increasing the estimate to $20,000 to cover charters.
Monroe School District board members on Jan. 5 weighed restoring a budget line for middle‑school athletics transportation after six years without reliable busing for several teams.
Middle‑school presenters asked to restore about $15,000 for interscholastic busing, citing equity concerns that team members should have access to district‑provided transportation. Board members said the district has repeatedly been told by the contracted carrier, Allstar, that drivers are not available for the time of day required, leaving families to shoulder transportation burdens.
“We’re paying the bus company and we’re not getting the service we’re paying for,” one board member said, summarizing the recurring problem. Another board member noted, “For six years, we haven't had transportation at the middle‑school level for any of the sports,” framing the request as a long‑standing gap dating to the COVID era.
Members debated whether $15,000 would be sufficient; some suggested adding 20% to the estimate (to about $18,900–$20,000) or quoting coach/charter costs that can be substantially higher. Staff were directed to ask Allstar whether it could have provided the service this year and to price charter options and other carriers so the board can set an accurate appropriation.
Next steps: staff will return with vendor quotes and a recommended budget figure for transportation restoration before the board’s budget adoption timeline.
