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STN survey of nation’s transportation directors reveals challenges economy presents the upcoming school year
By Stephane Babcock For too many school districts to count, the
2009-2010 school year starts on a shaky foot. No matter the specific reasons — although the economy is good enough for most — school budgets are looking grimmer by the day. With current budgets in place, but prone to change, and as schools are making drastic cost-cutting measures, transportation direc- tors are waiting to see what changes may lie ahead when preparing next year’s budget. Of the almost 500 respondents to STN’s
Back to School Survey, 54 percent said they saw no operational changes to their depart- ments this year despite the economy. Te remaining 34 percent of directors had seen routes cut, 20 percent said athletic and/ or field trips were eliminated and nearly 1 percent bid services to private contractors. Some districts reigned in costs by increasing walking distances, sharing their transpor- tation management with another district, freezing new bus purchases and pay raises, and, for some, implementing pay decreases or outright layoffs. “[Te] substitute drivers’ and substitute
mechanics’ pay were cut by 28 percent,” ex- plained Mark Cegelski from Mayfield City School District near Cleveland. “Tey are the only employees not covered by the union con- tract and [were] identified as a place for cuts.” But, when looking to next year, close to
three-fourths of the contributing directors were not yet forecasting any effect on next year’s budget. A little more than 15 percent projected losing some routes, while others — 14.3 percent — believed team and field trips would be on the chopping block. Tonya Martin from Cripple Creek Vic-
tor School District RE-1 in central Colorado voiced concern over the connection of school funding formulas to student attendance. “I have already cut [down] to the minimum
number of routes. In our rural district, if we cut transportation, many of our students wouldn’t make it to school at all. Many par- ents do not have cars,” said Martin. At Northside Independent School District
in San Antonio, Texas, Transportation Direc- tor Rafael Salazar, Jr. is dealing with more
What are some cost-cutting techniques that you have implemented?
Reduced routes Cut drivers
Changes to alternative fuel Employed use of routing software Cut/reduced driver hours Cut/reduced driver benefits
0 65.8 %
23.6 % 7.8 %
30.8 % 38.3 % 9.7 % 75 150 225 300
How have transportation services been affected for the upcoming school year?
Not at all Routes cut
All transportation services eliminated Services bid out to contractor for first time Team/field trips cut/eliminated
0 54.1 % 34.4 %
0.9 % 19.6 % 75 150 225 300
than just a 5 to 10 percent budget cut; his district is also seeing an increase of 2,000 students per year. “Tis year is going to be very interesting from the standpoint of the recession [now] being in full effect,” added Salazar.
Cutting Costs and Budgets Overall, a little more than 70 percent saw budget cuts this year. Of those re-
sponses, 34.3 percent fall somewhere under a 5 percent reduction with another 21 percent saying their budgets were cut by 5 to 10 percent. Meanwhile, 10 per- cent reported budget cuts in the 10 to 15 percent range. A smaller group — close to 6 percent — was dealing with the blows associated with slashing budgets by 20 percent or more. Rick McBride of Pinellas County Schools, west of Tampa, Fla., not only saw his department monies cut by more than one-fifth, he faces the
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