Action under consideration

The Administration recommends that the Board of Education authorize The School District of Philadelphia, through the Superintendent or his designee, to reimburse parents of eligible students for transportation expenses, subject to funding, as follows:

Purpose: 

Flat rate monthly payment to households for their child's transportation expenses to and from school for the 2023-2024 school year

Start Date: 9/1/2023

End Date: 6/30/2024

Compensation not to exceed: $36,000,000 for the period of 9/1/2023 through 6/30/2024

Location(s):

All Schools

Description:

The School District of Philadelphia's (District) Department of Transportation Services is seeking a continuation of the 2022-2023 Board Authorization to provide a flat rate of $300/month, up to $3,000/year per household, for eligible students to opt out of bus, van, or cab service to/from school. Additionally, parents or guardians have the option of a flat rate of $150/month, up to $1,500/year per household, for eligible students who opt out of bus, van, or cab service in the morning only, but use the service in the afternoon. The requested authorization of $36,000,000 will fund this transportation reimbursement for approximately 12,000 eligible families during the 2023-2024 school year.

This directly supports the Board of Education's Guardrail 1.  Transportation’s goal for the continuation of the Flat Rate Program is to provide an alternative transportation option to families impacted by the national bus driver shortages. The success of the Flat Rate Program will be measured by the number of eligible students who continue to be transported to and from school by their parents and decrease the District's reliance on transportation contractors. 

Related resolution(s)/approval(s):

May 26, 2022; No. 60

September 23, 2021; No. 28

Source(s): FY24 Operating