School Finance: Transportation

To and From Transportation Survey

Dear Superintendents:

We are requesting your assistance in providing us with information about school transportation. In accordance with Chapter 139 of the Acts of 2006, the Department of Education was directed to conduct a study of methods to improve cost-savings and efficiency in regional transportation. In order to accomplish this task, we first looked at all the information that is currently collected on school transportation and determined that more information would be needed. We concluded that a survey would be the most efficient way to collect this information. To develop this survey, the Department convened an advisory group, comprised of school committee members, superintendents, collaborative directors, business managers and transportation directors. Through this data collection, we hope to elicit information that will help us to determine how best to support districts in providing the most efficient and cost effective transportation delivery system. While the focus of the study was on regional transportation, our intent is that this information will benefit all school districts in the Commonwealth. Consequently, we are asking that each district complete the survey instrument.

The survey is separated into three categories: General District, Regular Day/Vocational and Special Education. The programmatic sections are further delineated based on whether the district owns or operates its own buses or contracts for these services. While we understand the administrative burdens on local districts, some of the survey questions will require more than just a yes or no answer and may require additional time to complete.

The survey will reside on MassOne, the Department's web based portal for sharing information with school districts. Existing MassOne users can complete the survey by logging into MassOne, clicking on the survey button, and clicking Take Survey button for the document titled, "To and From School Transportation Survey." If the person you assign to complete the survey does not have access to MassOne, please have that individual send an e-mail to transportation@doe.mass.edu. The person will then receive a temporary user name and password to log into MassOne.

Please complete this survey by Friday, August 31, 2007. Should you have any questions, please contact either Jay Sullivan (781-338-6594) at jsullivan@doe.mass.edu or Christine Lynch (781-338-6520) at clynch@doe.mass.edu. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation. We are hopeful that the information you provide will inform the Legislature that future resources will be used effectively.