Pupil Transportation Funding Continues to Ignore Cost of Living

The K-12 budget includes a grant specifically to address student transportation needs—school buses, drivers, monitors, etc.—funded at $149 million for FY 2024. Lawmakers added $4.7 million to provide transportation personnel a 5.1 percent salary increase. This year’s budget does not include any additional money for school bus replacement but did include $188 million for this purpose in the amended fiscal year (AFY) 2022 budget with instructions for it to be used for the next three years.

Even with the raise and AFY 22 infusion included, the state spent less per student in FY 2023 ($117.33) than FY 2002 ($120.73), over two decades prior, not even counting the impact of inflation. Over this 22-year span, the cost of labor, fuel and vehicles have increased—a trend especially stark in FY 2022. School districts, which are required to provide school bus services to students by state law, must find additional funding in other areas. When the state does not adequately fund pupil transportation, the result is longer school routes, safety concerns due to older buses and less money for the classroom.

State Funding for Pupil Transportation Does Not Address Inflation

Note 1: FY 2022 is the most recent data available of actual costs for student transportation. Note 2: FY 2022, 23 and 24 state funding each include one-third of the AFY 2022 bus replacement funding, per language in AFY 22 appropriations bill.

Source: Georgia’s 2023 Fiscal Year Budget (HB 911), signed by the governor.