Oregon Public School Transportation Funding - The Chalkboard ...

Code 33-1006 (statute) indicates the State Department of Education shall adopt
rules and coordinate with statutes related to pupil transportation operations and
funding. Additionally, the “State Department of Education shall develop a ‘best
practice’ model and cost containment guidelines for school district pupil
transportation operations …,” IDAPA 08.02.02.150-219, 12.23.1. (See Best
Practices, Appendix 3)
Finance Method
• Defines transportation eligible students
• Requires bus routes be submitted to SDE for approval and specifies
options for non-transport areas
• Requires liability insurance at state minimum levels. No indication of
tort limitation was noted, even for public entities.
• Provides structure for transportation contracts and requires use of
state’s model contract form
• Provides for withholding of state monies for non-compliance
• Establishes a Pupil Transportation Support Fund that accrues to SDE
and is capped at 10 percent of state transportation support to schools
• Administrative fee (identified above) is reimbursable and not
considered when establishing the 103 percent limit
• Idaho Code 33- 317: Allows districts to form cooperatives for
transportation
• Idaho Code 33-1006(2) references “basic bus” costs, but SDE has
elected in IDAPA 08.02 to use an “average state price” related to bus
depreciation allowances. (Also see ID Code 33-601 and 33-402 for
more information on bus leases and depreciation)
The current formula was developed in conjunction with the Idaho Office of
Performance Evaluation (similar to Washington’s JLARC). It is a reimbursement
process and is based on the approved expenditures from the previous year.
The State pays up to 85 percent of the local district’s reimbursable expenses based
on home to school services. Expenses for driver wages, fuel, vehicle maintenance,
tools and bus purchases are some of the approved costs. Payments for buildings,
fences and other capital items are not reimbursable. The state uses a
Reimbursement Claim Form (Web-based SISTR program). Bus depreciation is
backed out of District operations, but not from contractor billings.
School Transportation ECONorthwest January 2009 Page 20