April 24, 2013
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In 2003 representatives from MASS, MOEC,
maaps, MAPT and ASE organized to discuss
rising costs in out-of-district special
education transportation
Preliminary study showed significant cost
savings by consolidating routes
Funding provided from the Legislature to
fund a three-year pilot program effective July
1, 2006
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Proposed model- collaborative would serve as a
hub for coordinating transportation to private
schools located in their geographic area
Year two of the study showed potential cost
savings could be realized through intercollaborative networks
The legislature continued funding in FY2009 to
further support the development of networks
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In FY2010 the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education provided funding to
support, enhance and create additional
networks
The following networks demonstrated
significant savings:
Metro-Boston
Northeast
Metro-West
Blackstone Valley
Southeast
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Continued DESE support of the State Special
Education Taskforce
DESE funded project to provide districts with
the October 1 DESE SIMS data
Provide ridership data for programs receiving
students from 15+ school districts
Massachusetts Association Massachusetts Association
of School Superintendents of School Committees
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Association
Organization of
of Special Education
Educational Collaboratives Administrators
Massachusetts Association Massachusetts Association
of School Business
of Approved Private
Officials
Schools
Massachusetts Association
for Pupil Transportation
Fiscal Year
Number of Students
Number of
Private/Collaborative
Programs
2010
10,557
389
2011
10,516
401
2012
10,339
414
2013
10,414
395
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A website was developed in FY2012 to show
the October 1 DESE Data and ridership data
for identified programs
www.spedtranssavings.org
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Districts can see if sharing with another
district or if potential to share exists
PROCESS
Contact
District
Website
IEP
Placement
Identify
Neighboring
Districts
Establish
Route
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Facilitate IEP meeting
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Arrange for transportation services
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Ensure transitions to outside placement are
smooth and effective
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Work closely with parents
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Ensure compliance with all State and Federal
mandates
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Quality of service provided by vendor or school
district
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Parent satisfaction
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Dependable and reliable service
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Expediency in establishing transportation
services
Cost savings
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Parents may not want child riding with
students from other districts
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Length of ride
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Frequent changes to routes
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Special conditions for monitors and/or
wheelchairs
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Cost
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Recognize parents concerns
 Their child riding with children from other
districts
 Length of time on the vehicle
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Share benefits of ride sharing
 Inclusive setting allows for greater socialization
 Least restrictive environment
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One hour ride limit can be waived by the
team
IEP Transportation Services
◦ Check “NO” if student does not require any
modifications (a smaller vehicle does not constitute
special transportation)
◦ Check “YES” if student requires any modifications,
wheelchair, adaptive bus, lift or ramp, monitor
Narrative Description of School District Proposal
Transportation is being provided the student
attending the out of district placement. In the
meeting the parents understood and agreed
that the commute may be longer than one
hour due to distance, traffic, weather and other
circumstances beyond the control of the
transportation company.
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Significant savings can be realized when
several districts share vehicle costs
Vehicle cost divided by the number of
districts on the vehicle
Average route cost=$215 per day
◦ District would pay that as solo run or share with
other districts
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Significant cost savings can result if districts share
routes
Cost Savings Example
District
Current per Day Cost*
Boxford PS
Newburyport PS
Topsfield PS
$71.60
$71.60
$71.60
Cost Avoidance** Annual Savings180 Days
$215.00
$215.00
$215.00
$25,812.00
$25,812.00
$25,812.00
Combined Cost Avoidance (Savings):
*Hypothetical figure based on Northeast Network rate.
**Based on average cost per day statewide.
$77,436.00
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District must provide transportation provider
with clear written information
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In-service Training Program
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Periodic Inspection of Equipment
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Provides another resource when setting up
transportation services
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Can expedite placement
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Cost savings to your district
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Helpful documents and presentations
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Work with collaborative or transportation
network
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Work closely with transportation person
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Timing is important for smooth start
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Provide pertinent information to
transportation providers
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Formal Collaboratives providing this service
◦ Operate their own vehicles
◦ Contract with vendor(s)
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Regional networks
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Informal arrangements made between
towns/districts
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District owned and operated transportation
October 1 Data
Ridership Data
Colleen Cavanaugh
Office
508.829.2786
Cell
774.345.0131
Email
colleencavanaugh@ymail.com
Jay Sullivan
Office
email
617.338.6594
jsullivan@doe.mass.edu