CSBA backs bill to boost school transportation funds
Published: March 1, 2014
State Sen. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, has introduced a measure co-sponsored by CSBA and the California School Employees Association to increase school transportation reimbursement rates for school districts and county offices of education that are severely underfunded.
Under Senate Bill 1137, local educational agencies reimbursed at less than 50 percent of state-approved costs would be bumped up to a 50 percent reimbursement rate during a phase-in period. The bill, which also has strong support from a growing coalition of school transportation advocates, would also provide a cost-of-living adjustment for transportation funding for LEAs.
The current statewide reimbursement rate for home-to-school transportation is 38 percent. The funding distribution is so uneven that some see less than 10 percent reimbursement, while others receive over 80 percent of their approved costs.
“CSBA has consistently advocated for increased funding for school transportation and the need to re-examine the inadequacy of the current funding formula. CSBA deeply appreciates Senator Torres’ authorship of SB 1137, which will begin to address important aspects of this flawed formula,” said CSBA Executive Director & CEO Vernon M. Billy.