District is buying its own school buses

What happened

The 2026-27 budget adds three more district-owned buses (one full-size, two small) as part of a multi-year plan to run more home-to-school routes, sports trips and field trips itself. The state is expected to repay about 42% of the cost, and the district expects to break even in the third year.

Why it matters to families

Who runs the bus affects pickup times and costs for families. The district said transportation spending dropped slightly in 2026-27 because of this shift.

The evidence

May 11, 2026 budget hearing minutes describe the buses and the 42% reimbursement estimate; Mar. 9, 2026 minutes note transportation costs falling as the district uses its own buses. The first buses were expected in late spring 2026.

The source