Board moves to adopt foster-care transportation policy to keep students in school of origin when feasible

The Santa Fe Trail board discussed a proposed policy aimed at reducing school moves for students in foster care and moved to adopt the policy as board policy. A presenter explained the KSDE requirement for districts to have a transportation plan that helps students in foster care stay in their school of origin when it is feasible, noting that a BID (best interest determination) meeting brings stakeholders together to decide school placement and transportation arrangements.

"Our goal is that they can stay in their school of origin," the presenter said, describing options the district will consider after a BID meeting, from foster-parent reimbursement to assigning district stops or coordinating with neighboring districts. Board members pressed for clarity on mileage limits and taxpayer liability; several members emphasized that the BID team—not the board—would determine the practical transportation mode and whether mileage reimbursement is appropriate.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the policy as presented was made, seconded, and approved on a voice vote. The transcript records the motion and a later vote but does not include detailed line-item parameters (for example, a fixed per‑mile cap) in the adopted text; board members directed staff to return with implementation details and to check reimbursement rules and partnering possibilities with agencies that license foster care providers.

The policy adoption signals the district's intent to meet KSDE expectations and to formalize an internal process for quick transportation planning for students in foster care; staff noted they will test the procedure and bring back clarifications about reimbursable costs and mileage caps if needed.