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Mont Vernon school rep flags 29% bus contract spike; proposes Special Education reserve increase
Summary
School Board Representative Andrew Stockinger told the Budget Committee a new three‑year, district‑wide bus contract could raise transportation costs by about 29% (roughly $72,000) and proposed a $25,000 warrant article to bolster the Special Education Reserve Fund, which the committee discussed during the Jan. 6 meeting.
Andrew Stockinger, the Mont Vernon School Board representative, told the Budget Committee on Jan. 6 that the district faces a significant increase in transportation costs tied to a new three‑year bus contract covering Mont Vernon and Amherst.
Stockinger said the new contract quotes translate to roughly a 29% year‑over‑year increase—about $72,000—raising the total transportation budget to roughly $333,000. He said the district solicited quotes from four providers and that switching providers may produce savings compared with the prior provider. The committee discussed securing staffing assurances from any new provider; Stockinger said Mont Vernon experienced fewer operational issues than Amherst during the prior contract but the SAU administration has driven a more rigorous bidding process.
On special education funding, Stockinger said the school board plans a warrant article to add $25,000 to the Special Education Reserve Fund (current balance about $100,000; target $200,000) to prepare for high‑cost placements. He told the committee that the SAU estimates a high line mark for a single costly student placement could reach $180,000–$190,000 for one year.
Stockinger also summarized building‑capacity concerns and said the Souhegan School Board public budget hearing is Jan. 13 and the Mont Vernon School Board public budget hearing is Jan. 14; both meetings are scheduled 6:30–8:30 p.m.
The committee did not take votes on school budget items at the Jan. 6 meeting; members asked for additional detail on contract pricing and contingency plans for sudden enrollment changes.
