Board weighs raising activity‑bus reimbursement after transportation director outlines multi‑year shortfall

The transportation director presented activity-bus and yellow‑bus cost data showing the district’s current activity-bus recharge (60¢/mile for many trips; 35¢ for some categories) substantially undercovers the true per‑trip cost, estimated near $1.28 per mile once labor, mechanics, parts and supplies are included. Staff said state mechanic wage rates and other cost inputs are rising and that the local transportation budget has been subsidizing athletics and non‑revenue trips for several years.

Several options were discussed: no change, an immediate multi‑year phased increase, or a single‑year increase followed by review. Board members asked staff to prepare an impact report for the June business meeting showing how rate changes would affect school budgets, athletics, and families; trustees also requested the Education Foundation evaluate targeted support for educational trips. Transportation director said a phased increase of about +30¢/mile now, with additional steps later, would move the department toward break‑even in approximately three years; board members did not take a final vote and asked for follow‑up data.

Trustees emphasized they want to avoid pricing families out of extracurricular experiences and asked principals and program leaders for plans to offset increased costs where possible.