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Massachusetts Special Education Transportation Out of District Coordinators Meeting April 24, 2013
Massachusetts Special Education Transportation
Out of District Coordinators
Meeting
April 24, 2013
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
Background
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 inter-collaborative networks
The legislature continued funding in FY2009 to further support the development of networks
Background (Continued)
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 NortheastMetro-West Blackstone ValleySoutheast
Background (Continued)
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
Current Initiative FY2011-2013
Task Force Participants Representatives from State
OrganizationsMassachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives
Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials
Massachusetts Association of School Committees
Massachusetts Association of Special Education Administrators
Massachusetts Association of Approved Private 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
October 1 Data FY10 – FY13
A website was developed in FY2012 to show the October 1 DESE Data and ridership data for identified programs
www.spedtranssavings.org
Districts can see if sharing with another district or if potential to share exists
Website Developed
IEP Placement
Website
Identify Neighboring Districts
Contact District
Establish Route
PROCESS
Facilitate IEP meeting Arrange for transportation services Ensure transitions to outside placement are
smooth and effective Work closely with parents Ensure compliance with all State and
Federal mandates
Out of District Coordinators Role
Quality of service provided by vendor or school district
Parent satisfaction
Dependable and reliable service
Expediency in establishing transportation services
Cost savings
Transportation Concerns
Parents may not want child riding with students from other districts
Length of ride Frequent changes to routes Special conditions for monitors and/or
wheelchairs Cost
Challenges
Recognize parents concerns Their child riding with children from other districts Length of time on the vehicle
Share benefits of ride sharing Inclusive setting allows for greater socialization Least restrictive environment
How Can You be Helpful
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
Individualized Education Plan
IEP-8 Sample Language
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.
IEP N1 Form
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
Cost Savings
Significant cost savings can result if districts share routes
Cost Savings ExampleDistrict Current per Day Cost* Cost Avoidance** Annual Savings180 Days
Boxford PS $71.60 $215.00 $25,812.00Newburyport PS $71.60 $215.00 $25,812.00Topsfield PS $71.60 $215.00 $25,812.00
Combined Cost Avoidance (Savings): $77,436.00
*Hypothetical figure based on Northeast Network rate. **Based on average cost per day statewide.
Cost Savings
District must provide transportation provider with clear written information
In-service Training Program
Periodic Inspection of Equipment
Massachusetts State Regulation603 CMR 28.05(8)(b-c)
Provides another resource when setting up transportation services
Can expedite placement
Cost savings to your district
Helpful documents and presentations
How Can This Website Help You
Work with collaborative or transportation network
Work closely with transportation person Timing is important for smooth start Provide pertinent information to
transportation providers
What Can You Do
Formal Collaboratives providing this service◦ Operate their own vehicles◦ Contract with vendor(s)
Regional networks Informal arrangements made between
towns/districts District owned and operated transportation
Transportation Options
October 1 Data
Ridership Data
Colleen CavanaughOffice 508.829.2786Cell 774.345.0131Email [email protected]
Jay SullivanOffice 617.338.6594email [email protected]
Contact Information
