Board clarifies transportation funding; $60,000 van purchase removed after state standards not met

During the budget committee discussion, a board member asked whether a $20,000 noncertified transportation salary line related to new vans. The superintendent and staff explained that the district had previously set aside $60,000 to buy a van for college/CTE transportation but "could not find a van that met the standard from the state," so that purchase was removed from the budget. The superintendent said removing the van will not eliminate the program but will alter how options are expanded for student transportation.

Staff also explained how they are moving a small portion of staff salaries into the transportation function so those costs can be included in transportation grant claims. In explaining that change, staff said, "we're moving a small portion of those salaries to be charged to the transportation function, and then those will increase the amount that we're charging to transportation that can be part of the transportation grant claim." The committee treated the change as an accounting decision to align work to grant-eligible functions rather than a service reduction.