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School Transportation Task Force

Overview

SB23-094 creates a School Transportation Modernization Task Force to study the issues facing school transportation systems and use the study’s findings to develop and recommend policies, laws, and rules to improve public school transportation across the state in order to better meet student needs and alleviate burdens on school districts.

The Commissioner’s designee shall chair the task force. The task force shall meet at the call of the chair at least two times from August through December 2023 and at least four times from May through November 2024. CDE has selected the Dillinger Research to facilitate the task force meetings, take minutes and write the official report. The Task Force’s report with findings and recommendations for improving school transportation services for students is due on or before December 1, 2024. The statute outlines the items that must be included in the report:

(a) Identification of transportation challenges that create barriers to students attending a school district-assigned neighborhood public school, public school of choice, or career pathway programs;

(b) Recommendations for implementing a simplified reimbursement process for school districts based on the findings or recommendations from the transportation subcommittee of the financial policies and procedures advisory committee of the department of education;

(c) Identification of existing and potential funding sources for providing school transportation;

(d) Recommendations for creating and implementing sustainable funding mechanisms to meet school transportation needs;

(e) Recommendations for creating and implementing a transportation innovation fund to support local efforts to create new and innovative transportation solutions that may serve as a model to scale and sustain in other school districts and charter schools;

(f) Recommendations for facilitating partnerships among school districts, district and institute charter schools, public transportation providers, private transportation providers, and local nonprofit organizations to meet transportation needs and create cost efficiencies, while maintaining safety standards;

(g) Recommendations for creating pathways and talent pipelines for transportation provider and logistics careers;

(h) Recommendations for competitive salaries and benefits packages necessary to recruit and retain school transportation drivers;

(i) Identification of outcomes from transportation assistance grants from the department of education, and recommendations for replication or expansion;

(j) An analysis of the costs and benefits associated with requiring route school buses that can control traffic with alternating flashing red lights to have automated vehicle information systems, as defined at section 42-4-110.5 (6), to record motor vehicles that unlawfully pass a stopped route school bus; and

(k) Recommendations for legislation or rules that may improve school transportation, including recommendations for legislation or rules that do not exacerbate the marginalization of communities through separation while protecting public funds with clear accountability and transparency.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT

Task Force Members

Task force membership is outlined in 22-107-103, C.R.S.

Trevor Byrne

Labor Union for School Bus Driver Representative

Erin Camper

Advocacy Organization for Students with Disabilities

Brenda Dickhoner

Advocacy Org with Experience Advocating for School Transportation Modernization

Robert Dipietro

School Transportation Director (Suburban)

Jen Douglas

Charter School Representative

Michelle Exstrom

Parent Who Uses/Would Use Transportation

Dustin Kress

Ride Share Transportation Provider (Regulated by PUC))

Stephanie Hansen

After-School Program Provider

Kaycee Headrick

After-School Program Provider

Debra Johnson

Public Transportation Provider

Morgan Judge

Ride Share Transportation (Transports Students, Regulated by CDE)

Amy Lloyd

Special Education Director

Michael Madden

District Chief Financial Officer (Rural)

Nicholas Martinez

Recipient of CDE Transportation Assistance Grant

Steve McCracken

Superintendent

Chad Miller

Charter School Representative (CSI School)

Susan Miller

Commissioner Designee

Jessica Morrison

Business/Industry that Partners with Schools to Provide Career Pathway Programs

Joel Newton

Business/Industry that Partners with Schools to Provide Career Pathway Programs

Leiton Powell

Public Transportation Provider

Albert Samora

School Transportation Director (Urban)

Dain Schiele

Parent Who Uses/Would Use Transportation

Jana Schleusner

District Chief Financial Officer

Dave Slothower

Superintendent (Rural)

Sarah Swanson

Advocacy Org with Experience Advocating for School Transportation Modernization

Casey Ungs

School Transportation Director (Rural)

Kevin Vick

Labor Union for School Bus Driver Representative

David Werner

Parent Who Uses/Would Use Transportation

Meeting Resources

The task force is a state public body and therefore are subject to Colorado Open Meeting Law and Colorado Open Records Act.

2023-2024 Taskforce meeting dates and times:

Meeting #1 - September 25, 2023

Meeting #2 - December 11, 2023

Meeting #3 - January 22, 2024

Meeting #4 - February 13, 2024

Meeting #5 - March 19, 2024

Meeting #6 - April 9, 2024

Meeting #7 - May 13, 2024

Meeting #8 - June 11, 2024

Meeting #9 - July 9, 2024

Meeting #10 - August 13, 2024

Meeting #11 - September 5, 2024

Meeting #12 - September 30, 2024

Meeting #13 - October 8, 2024

Contact

Jennifer Okes, District Operations Special Advisor - okes_j@cde.state.co.us