Major Transportation Adjustments

The funding of transportation for students has been a continual challenge for all school districts.  This year, in a cost cutting measure, the State has implemented a new transportation formula which forces districts to adjust their bus routes in order to maximize the funding allotment we will receive from the state.  As a result, what is already an underfunded program has just become much more restrictive. 

Prior to this year, the funding formula we were required to use did not fully support the transportation of our students.  White River has consistently carried a shortfall of approximately $1 million to support our routes.  Now, the State has crafted a new funding formula that requires us to fill our busses to capacity in order to receive 100% of the allocation the State allows.  What this means is that if a bus is rated to hold 50 students, then we have to have 50 students riding that bus in order to get the largest allowable allocation for it.

The transportation department has spent the summer recalculating our routes in order to meet the mandates of this funding formula.  Those routes and stops are included in our August newsletter and are posted on our web-page under “Departments” and “Transportation.”  In some cases, our students will be on longer rides with many more students on the busses. 

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of the adjustments.  In 2012-13 school year we will not be able to provide transportation for students who have safe walking routes (as defined by the state) for secondary students living within one and a quarter miles of their school and elementary students living within one mile of their school.

We know there will be concerns and frustrations.  However, we would ask and appreciate your understanding and patience as we try to comply with these new requirements from the State.