Massachusetts Special Education Transportation Out of District Coordinators Meeting

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 colleencavanaugh@ymail.com

Jay SullivanOffice 617.338.6594email jsullivan@doe.mass.edu

Contact Information