Schools; transportation support level; CTE
The legislation will principally affect funding mechanisms for transportation within Arizona's education system. By defining a clear calculation for transportation support levels, it hopes to assist school districts with budget predictability and better planning for student transit to academic and vocational training sites. Additionally, the bill addresses specific provisions for students with disabilities, ensuring that their transport needs are recognized and adequately financed, reflecting a commitment to educational access for all students.
House Bill 2117 amends section 15-945 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, focusing on the transportation support level for school districts. The bill specifies the methods for calculating transportation support, which encompass both regular school transport and transport to career technical education districts. By setting a structured approach to determining funding based on approved mileage and the number of eligible students, the bill aims to ensure that school districts receive adequate financial support for transporting students to and from school, as well as to career technical programs.
While HB 2117 seeks to provide a uniform method for calculating transportation support, potential points of contention may arise regarding the adequacy of the proposed funding levels. Stakeholders could raise concerns about whether the formulas used in the calculations will sufficiently address the actual transportation costs faced by various districts, particularly those in rural areas where distances to schools may be greater. Moreover, districts may differ in their capacity to implement the transportation requirements outlined in the amended statute, leading to discussions about fairness and equity in educational funding.