80 likes | 222 Views
McKinney Vento Transportation Update (Switch from Taxis to Buses). Andrea Foster, SUSD Homeless Liaison Arturo Basurto, SUSD Transportation Director. Preparing the McKinney-Vento Families:. January 2009: Contacted every family receiving taxi service by telephone to confirm address/status
E N D
McKinney Vento Transportation Update (Switch from Taxis to Buses) Andrea Foster, SUSD Homeless Liaison Arturo Basurto, SUSD Transportation Director
Preparing the McKinney-Vento Families: January 2009: • Contacted every family receiving taxi service by telephone to confirm address/status • Mailed out MV Packets with the following information: • Letter explaining switch from taxis to SUSD buses/vehicles • MV Transportation Contract • Student Code of Conduct regarding transportation • Bus route information • National Law Center on Homelessness booklet
Preparing the Schools: January 2009: • Met with Schools/Principals to inform about changes • identified a staff member from each site to receive/log MV transportation information • Each school received a MV Transportation Binder containing: • Excel spreadsheet with current roster of students receiving MV transportation from that site (schools receive updated roster whenever changes are made) • Phone numbers for bus drivers & Transportation Department • Phone numbers for MV Program contacts • MV Transportation Contract • Copy of letter sent home to parents • Student Code of Conduct for Transportation • National Law Center on Homelessness booklet
MV Transportation Costs to Date: • Aug 08-Jan 09: Taxi service invoices totaled $178,764 - Avg $29,794.08/mo • Feb 09-Apr 09: SUSD Transportation costs totaled $42,825 - Avg $14,275/mo
MV Transportation Costs to Date: • The MV fleet began February 2, 2009 • Currently running 5 buses & 2 vehicles • Currently transporting 83 MV students: • 25 In-District • 58 Out of District • February 09 thru April 09– • 5 buses mileage 19,352/ 7 ml per gal • 1 van mileage 4,799/ 17 ml per gal • 1 car mileage 5,021/ 17 ml per gal • Total mileage = 29,172 • ADE mileage reimbursement for 29,172 x $2.72/mile = $79,348 • Cost for drivers • $10.28 x 9 hrs per day = $92.52 • $92.52 x 65 days x 6 drivers = $36,083 (+ benefits) • Fuel cost $6,742 • Total cost for fuel and drivers $42,825 (+benefits)
Highlights from first 3 months: • Parents very pleased to be able to contact bus/van driver directly via cell phone • 90% reduction in complaints to MV Program regarding transportation • Excellent communication between MV Program and Transportation Department • Weekly debriefing meetings • Daily phone calls/emails • Bus monitors also provide tutoring to students! • Parents and Students held accountable • Relationship-building: • some of the older MV students have begun to mentor younger students • Some of the drivers have been instrumental in motivating students to go to school
Route students in 2 days or less Ability to transport higher number of students – more seats More students = longer commute Parents able to contact driver immediately on cell phone Parents have no hesitation about child riding in SUSD bus/vehicle Receive daily reports on students Average cost $14,275/month Route students in 2 days or less Limited number of seats in vehicle Less students = shorter commute Parents not able to contact driver directly Parents sometimes hesitant about their child riding in a taxi (non-district personnel) Inconsistent student reporting (change of placement, etc) Average cost $29,794/month Vs. Buses Taxis
Proposal for 09-10: Possible funding sources: Stimulus Monies available mid May • Approximately $40,000 • Can be used to hire 2 bus monitors/tutors? McKinney-Vento Grant ($100,000? TBD) • Can pay for drivers and excess transportation costs Projected Costs: Projecting MV Transportation will grow 10% • City will be divided into 6 quadrants – will decrease fuel costs and travel time • Maintain MV Fleet of 5 buses & 1 van or car (6 bus drivers) • $10.28 x 9 hrs per day = $95.52 • $95.52 x 6 drivers = $555.12 x 181 days = $100,477 + benefits for school year • Total fuel cost $15,000 Total estimated costs $115,477 + benefits (will still claim ADE mileage reimbursement)