(1) REQUIREMENT.
(a) Local boards of education shall receive and use allotments for student
transportation for the following student transportation cost.
1. Driver Benefits.
(i) Salary.
(ii) Social Security (Employer).
(iii) Sick Leave.
(iv) Required Medical Exam.
2. School Bus Insurance.
(i) Local school systems shall provide the insurance information on cost and coverage
as needed on forms provided by the department.
3. Bus Replacement Funds.
(i) Average low bids shall determine the replacement allowance per year over a period
of eight years for gasoline-powered or 10 years for diesel-powered 35-72 passenger
buses, and 12 years for gasoline-powered or 14 years for diesel-powered 78-90 passenger
buses. Both gasoline- and diesel-powered Type A and Type B buses earn a replacement
allowance per year over a period of eight years.
(ii) Any excess paid over and above the low bid price or any payment for optional
equipment over and above the minimum standards approved by the state board of
education shall not be considered in calculating the replacement funds. The replacement
allowance shall be used only for the purpose of purchasing replacement buses, school bus
shop construction or school bus shop equipment.
4. Operating Funds.
(i) The actual expenditures and total annual route/mileage reported by local school
systems shall be used to determine the costs per mile. The cost of fuel, oil, tires,
batteries, parts and shop, clerical, and supervisory salaries is used in the calculation. The
actual expenditures and total annual route mileage shall be reported on forms provided by
the department.
(ii) All school bus routes shall be measured at least once per school year by the local
system superintendent or designee.
(iii) Local school systems shall be ranked according to utilization per regular bus
(unit). Utilization per bus is the number of unduplicated students transported per bus as
assigned by the most recent survey. The systems shall be divided into four categories of
equal size. Categories will be evaluated at least every three years.
5. Extended Mileage.
(i) Special education extended mileage shall be paid when the school bus is used
beyond the time and mileage requirements in the regular or special education program.
Extended mileage shall also be paid when the school bus is used for transporting
residential students to and from state operated schools.
(ii) Vocational extended mileage shall be paid for school to school transportation when
the bus is used beyond the time and mileage requirements in the regular or special
education program.