Capital Chapter/ESD 113

Serving, Public Schools in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston Counties

Jeff Gregory, President                                                                                                                                    Dawn Avery, Treasurer
Don Hall, President - Elect
Lisa Niendorf, Secretary
Deanna Maddux, Past President

Dear Members of the Washington State Legislature,  

We would like to ask you to consider reviewing the current funding model for student transportation in the State of Washington. With a significant percentage of school districts returning to school 100% remotely for the start of the 2020/2021 school year, the questions are surfacing around what this means for school transportation departments across the state. This is an urgent matter as most school districts have schools bus drivers who contacts, and current pay will end at the end of this month. Since we are funded for home to school transportation and report the student count to determine our appropriate funding allocation, there are assumptions that with no students to transport for the first reporting session, our funding will be significantly impacted. In the event transportation will not be receiving the funding they are accustom to, the concern is this result would require furloughed staff.  

The ramifications of furlough for student transportation staff will have a long-lasting ripple effect on the ability to return to school when the COVID numbers flatten and it is safe to return to any form of face to face instruction. Many districts will not be able to make a swift shift back to a hybrid face to face model. Without quick review and action, at best it could take months for transportation departments to recover enough to provide the same level of service as they did prior to COVID.

The impact has the potential to be so great that there would not be enough transportation resources to support the district’s needs, forcing districts to remain in remote learning. The impact on education would be unravel all that has put into place to help serve the families in our community to include those furthest from educational justice. If the current model for determining transportation allocations is enforced without emergency measures put into place, school transportation across the state will be crippled for at least the next two school years. We understand that you are not in session and ask that this be considered for emergency review before the damage is unrepairable. Below are some areas that outline what the impact will look like if there is a furlough for student transportation staff.  We thank you for your consideration, time dedication and support of our transportation staff and the students and families that we serve. 

Thank you for taking the time to review this with and discuss these issues regarding public school district transportation funding. 

Respectfully submitted,

WAPT/Capital Chapter Board Members

Student Transportation Funding Considerations

Reopening Washington Schools 2020

Driver Loss and Recruitment –

• School transportation staff is irreplaceable. They are dedicated and invested members of our community who know the families and students that we serve. 
• They can provide reassurance and consistency when the students and families during uncertain times and reassurance and familiarity when students board the buses to return to face to face instruction. 
• Many transportation staff will and have already begun to look for alternative employment opportunities.
•  Current substitute transportation staff may be forced to look for alternative employment. 
• The industry for CDL holders for trucking and delivery of products is on the rise and qualified drivers are in demand. 
• Even if school transportation staff can collect unemployment benefits, they may lose their health insurance and benefits due to the inability to afford COBRA.
• The School Bus driver shortage was a nationwide problem before COVID. The shortage is even greater as we plan for returning for the 20/21 school year. 
• Washington’s student transportation departments already do not have enough bus drivers that they need to transport students. 
• High Risk staff, staff with childcare challenges may not return.
• Recruiting candidates is increasingly challenging, compounded by the increase in unemployment benefits and unpaid training.
•  Training can take 4-6 weeks, in some areas up to 10 weeks. 
• Third Party CDL Testers are limited throughout the state. The classes to train and qualify additional testers were cancelled this year due to COVID. 
• The Certified Driver Trainer class was cancelled this summer, causing a lack of trainers. 
• DOL locations are only accepting appointments, currently appointments are scheduled a few weeks out. 
• DOL is already experiencing a back log, which will increase once all waivers for CDL’s and physicals expire, in addition to many school districts trying to train and recruit at the same time, this may put a strain on the limited availability. 
• Finger Printing is by appointment only. 
• CDL physical requirements have strict disqualifying conditions.
  
   

Student Transportation Funding Considerations

Reopening Washington Schools 2020

Mechanics & Buses -

• Mechanics are critical to maintain the operational status of a transportation fleet. 
• Failure to properly maintain the fleet during prolonged parked status will result in premature failure and highly problematic / erratic function of many of the vehicle systems. 
• Results will be increased maintenance/repair costs as well as increased vehicle out of service time.
•  Buses have not had much movement since March, September will be six months, mechanics will need to service fluids and filters on the fleet (engine oil and filter change, transmission service, cooling system flush, replace fuel system filters, etc.) 
• Bus maintenance and movement needs to continue for the safe reliable operation when routine use resumes. 
• Fuel sitting in the holding tanks and in the buses for prolonged periods of time can be problematic. 
• Additional costs will be associated with having to hire a company to come out and put biocide and stabilizers in the holding tanks to preserve fuel. 
• State Patrol inspections are still taking place for many districts, and they are working around furlough days. 

Dispatchers/Routers –

•  The intricate details around returning to school in a hybrid model is time intensive and extra considerations are being put in place. 
• Some districts are transporting some students who are identified to receive specific services. 
• Scheduling for staff coverage.
• Routing and dispatching will be required for planning and operations.
• Radio communication will need to be operational during the operation of transporting students.

Student Transportation Funding Considerations

Reopening Washington Schools 2020

Office support Staff -

• Invoices and accounting still need to be maintained. 
• Record keeping is consistent.
• Products, services and PPE needs to be ready for returning. 
• STARS reporting is due in October. 
• Community communication is critical to starting a new school year. 

Transportation staff can contribute to remote learning and bring support to the neighborhoods of our communities 

• Drivers bring the school into home neighborhoods to connect students with education
• Drivers could deliver meals that closely follow a bus route, to allow students to stay closer to home but still receive meal services (taking safety into consideration). 
• While delivering meals, could they deliver technology or swap out technology for students. 
• While delivering meals could drivers be couriers for homework packets for students who need additional languages, resources or materials.
• WIFI be installed on buses and strategically placed during instructional times. 
• Drivers/staff serve as aides on special needs routes to assist students who will attend face to face with PPE and social distancing while riding the bus.
• Drivers/staff assist with warehouse needs and relocation of items to assist in preparing for face to face instruction. 
• Drivers/staff assist with custodial work at the district buildings and schools. 
• Drivers/staff assist with childcare for school employees to allow teachers to educate students
   

Student Transportation Funding Considerations

Reopening Washington Schools 2020

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