Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Deming schools told of $477,000 transportation cut; board to consider route optimization and an RFP
Summary
Superintendent told the board a July 2 PED allocation change reduced Deming’s transportation funds by roughly $477,000 (about 16%), and staff recommended route optimization, a fall RFP and short‑term budget contingencies to cover service costs.
The Deming Public Schools board heard on July 16 that an adjusted state allocation formula produced a deeper‑than‑expected cut to district transportation funding, and staff outlined immediate and medium‑term steps to respond.
Superintendent (speaker 6) told trustees the district’s final transportation allocation, posted July 2, applied an updated formula and reduced funding for operations, maintenance and fuel by roughly $477,000 compared with last year — a nearly 16% drop. "We received a reduction of over $477,000 versus last school year. That was a total of a 16% reduction," the superintendent said.
Staff and operations leaders said Deming’s ridership has fallen by more than 400 students since FY21–22 and that the state formula weights ridership heavily (about 84%). District staff described two parallel responses: short‑term budget moves (pulling contingencies from direct instruction and student nutrition to cover the gap) and a plan to pursue a route‑optimization study and issue a fall RFP for transportation services to evaluate options for 2027–28.
Transportation staff explained a route evaluation contractor could run August–October reviews and recommend whether the district needs fewer routes or to reconfigure service. The district also discussed potential contract and procurement implications for contractors that run leased buses and the possibility of overpayment conversations with PED if routes are later reduced.
Board members and contractors also discussed alternative fuels and vehicles. A contractor explained electric buses require expensive charging infrastructure and limited range for some rural routes; board members suggested exploring grant funds or CNG options as potential longer‑term strategies.
The board approved budget adjustments to move contingency dollars and directed staff to return with findings from the route‑optimization evaluation and results of any RFP responses; staff estimated an RFP issued in August could lead to a January 2027 board decision and a six‑month transition for any contractor change.
