Q&A
Cost differences between general and special education busing
2:18:41
·
94 sec
Council Member Julie Won inquires about the cost differences between general education ($26 per student) and special education ($104 per student) busing. DOE officials explain that the higher cost for special education is due to smaller bus capacities and more routes required.
- General education buses have larger capacities, allowing more students per route
- Special education buses have smaller capacities, requiring more routes for fewer students
- The cost per student has increased over time as route costs have risen and student numbers have changed
Julie Won
2:18:41
You just testified that students for general education is $26 and special education is a $104.
2:18:48
Can you how has that cost per student changed over the last 5 to 10 years?
2:18:54
Because we also saw the number of special education students going from, I believe, it was just testified 1000 students 15 years ago to 6000 students as of this year.
James Sarkis
2:19:09
Generally speaking, the cost per student has increased over time as the cost per route has increased, and the number of students has changed.
Julie Won
2:19:20
Can you help me understand general itemization of the $104?
2:19:25
Because as chair Joseph has testified, those in IEPs who want or Paris who want more support on the buses don't seem to be getting them.
2:19:35
So where are the cost differences coming from?
2:19:37
Is it just because of the limited travel time where as you testify that if students need limited travel time, then they would need additional buses, bus drivers, etcetera?
James Sarkis
2:19:47
It's really just the way the relationship between the number of students and the cost per bus.
2:19:52
So because the capacity of a general education bus is significantly larger, we're able to put more students on fewer routes with general education busing, which significantly drives down the cost per student.
2:20:04
Conversely, with special education busing, we have fewer students on a larger number of routes.
2:20:10
The capacity of each one of those buses is much smaller, which leads to a significantly larger cost per student.
