Massachusetts Special Education Transportation Out of District Coordinators Meeting

1. Massachusetts Special Education TransportationOut of District CoordinatorsMeeting April 24, 2013

2. Background • 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

3. Background (Continued) • 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

4. 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 Northeast Metro-West Blackstone Valley Southeast

5. Current Initiative FY2011-2013 • 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

6. Task Force Participants Representatives from State Organizations

7. October 1 Data FY10 – FY13

8. Website Developed • 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

9. PROCESS

10. Out of District Coordinators Role • 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

11. Transportation Concerns • Quality of service provided by vendor or school district • Parent satisfaction • Dependable and reliable service • Expediency in establishing transportation services • Cost savings

12. Challenges • 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

13. How Can You be Helpful • 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

14. Individualized Education Plan • 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

15. IEP-8 Sample Language

16. IEP N1 Form 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.

17. Cost Savings • 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

18. Cost Savings • Significant cost savings can result if districts share routes Cost Savings Example District Current per Day Cost* Cost Avoidance** Annual Savings180 Days Boxford PS $71.60 $215.00 $25,812.00 Newburyport PS $71.60 $215.00 $25,812.00 Topsfield 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.

19. Massachusetts State Regulation603 CMR 28.05(8)(b-c) • District must provide transportation provider with clear written information • In-service Training Program • Periodic Inspection of Equipment

20. How Can This Website Help You • Provides another resource when setting up transportation services • Can expedite placement • Cost savings to your district • Helpful documents and presentations

21. What Can You Do • Work with collaborative or transportation network • Work closely with transportation person • Timing is important for smooth start • Provide pertinent information to transportation providers

22. Transportation Options • 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

24. October 1 Data

25. Ridership Data

26. Contact Information Colleen Cavanaugh Office 508.829.2786 Cell 774.345.0131 Email colleencavanaugh@ymail.com Jay Sullivan Office 617.338.6594 email jsullivan@doe.mass.edu