Changes in school transportation could save up to $20 million
Contact:
Liesl Wendt
Chalkboard Project
503.542.4325
liesl@chalkboardproject.org
Portland, OR – February 11, 2009 – Oregon school districts can reduce their transportation expenditures nearly $20 million per year by following the lead of some of their more cost-efficient neighbor districts, according to a new study released by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). “Oregon Public School Transportation Funding: An Evaluation of Alternative Methods,” was delivered today to the Ways and Means Education Subcommittee.
The new study examines funding for school transportation and finds that there is little incentive for school districts to create more efficient transportation programs since school districts do not pay all of the cost of inefficiencies. The Oregon Department of Education recommended building incentives for efficiency into the transportation system and distributing transportation funds in a more equitable way, while keeping student safety as the primary focus.
Efficiency gaps exist in districts of all sizes. Simply put, inefficient districts spend more per bus than their peers. The report concludes that real change will require development of alternative financing methods such as block grants, and shifting the traditional front-end allocation approach to transportation funding.
“Clearly, we need to provide incentives to increase efficiency. Local districts should be free to be innovative in their approach to transportation,” said Sue Hildick, president of the Chalkboard Project. "By making transportation more efficient, policy makers can drive more dollars into the classroom, which will ultimately benefit students.”
Chalkboard’s Finance Working Group in 2007 called for a deeper look at transportation funding, citing excessive costs and lack of incentives for efficiencies. Later, in the 2007 legislative session, the Legislature funded the Oregon Department of Education to undertake an independent study of the public school transportation system, looking for efficiencies in operations and cost reductions. Today’s report reflects ODE’s recommendations to the Legislature.
Chalkboard supports immediately implementing change in public school transportation policy that both includes Oregonians input and rewards innovation and cost savings.
Jill Kirk, Oregon Business Council Vice President said, “Oregon school districts face daunting budget scenarios in light of the rapidly changing economic conditions. Now, more than ever, school administrators will be looking for possible savings. The transportation report provides potential opportunities for savings. It helps focus all of us on getting dollars where they matter most – in the classroom.”
During the 2009 legislature, Chalkboard will support efforts to support quality educators in every Oregon classroom in addition to urging greater efficiency, transparency and utilizing best practices to help raise Oregon schools to among the nation’s top 10 in student achievement.
To view the transporation study and the ODE executive summary visit the "Reports" section of Chalkboard's website.
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About Chalkboard Project
Launched in early 2004, Chalkboard Project exists to inspire Oregonians to do what it takes to make the state’s K-12 public schools among the nation’s best, while strengthening our school system’s financial accountability to taxpayers. Chalkboard aims to help create a more informed and engaged public, and to enable statewide programs that can be applied at the local level to improve school quality, accountability, and funding. It also has partnered with other education organizations to create the Open Books Web site to track school district spending, student achievement data, details on teachers and the community are all available and easier to get, understand and compare than ever. Visit the new Open Books Project website, www.openbooksproject.org.
For more information about Chalkboard and to learn how to get involved, call (877) YOUR-K12 or visit www.chalkboardproject.org.
