Rising student homelessness strains transportation budget

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant developments in the transportation services for students, particularly focusing on efficiency improvements and the challenges posed by rising numbers of students experiencing homelessness.

The meeting highlighted a successful transition to in-house routing for regular day transportation, which has reportedly maximized efficiencies. The district has reduced its fleet from 14 large buses to 13 while accommodating 1,510 students, a notable increase in ridership compared to previous years. The implementation of an attendance tracking system for buses aims to optimize capacity further.

However, concerns were raised regarding the transportation of students experiencing homelessness. Currently, 65 students in this category receive daily transportation, with 42 cost-sharing agreements in place with other districts. Officials expressed worry over the increasing number of homeless students, which has risen consistently over the past few years. The absence of emergency shelter funding from the state, coupled with the closure of local emergency shelters, is expected to lead to higher transportation costs.

The discussion underscored the unpredictability of costs associated with transporting homeless students, as funding often arrives unexpectedly from other districts. Officials noted that while they are not currently planning for significant budget reallocations, they may need to adjust funding later in the year to address these rising costs.

The meeting concluded with a call for better funding structures to support districts facing challenges with homeless student populations, emphasizing the need for a more equitable approach to resource allocation.