No money budgeted for more school buses

What happened

The transportation committee told the board on June 23, 2026 that the district had bought two 24-passenger buses and one wheelchair-accessible van during the school year, that a new school bus now costs about $185,000, and that no funding has been allocated in the current budget for buying any more. The committee had earlier reviewed the condition of the fleet, including units out of service. The 2026-2027 budget cuts categorical transportation aid income by 9.04 percent while raising transportation fees charged to individuals.

Why it matters to families

Buses decide whether a child gets to school, and a wheelchair-accessible van is the difference between a placement working and not working for some families. A fleet with units out of service and no budget line for replacements is a problem that usually shows up as longer routes or shared runs before it shows up in a board resolution.

The evidence

The June 23, 2026 approved minutes record the transportation committee reporting the purchase of two 24-passenger buses and one wheelchair-accessible van, an estimated cost of approximately $185,000 per new school bus, and that at this time no funding has been allocated within the current budget for the purchase of additional buses. The February 24, 2026 minutes record the committee reviewing fleet management including units currently out of service, and the 2026-2027 budget detail shows categorical transportation aid falling 9.04 percent.

The source