I-SS Board approves rate increase for use of activity buses, signs off on contracts for EC services

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

BY KARISSA MILLER

Iredell-Statesville Schools will increase its activity bus fees due to the rising cost of fuel.

The Board of Education approved a recommendation from staff this week to increase the rate it charges schools for use of activity buses from $1.75 to $2.20 per mile, starting this school year.

According to Ricky Adams, who is in charge of I-SS Travel Tracker, Field Trips and Activity Buses, I-SS covers the cost of picking up and returning a bus to and from the designated parking location.

At $1.75 per mile, I-SS has one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the region. Prior to the pandemic, Superintendent Jeff James said that the district had a $700,000 budget shortfall in this area because of the choice programs and other transportation provided to students.

Each school pays the district for its activity fees from its operating budget and athletic ticket receipts.

Any shortfalls would have to be paid out of fund balance, James said.

Board members also discussed the need for smaller transportation buses.

“I think we do need some smaller vehicles, but the state does not allow you to use 15-passenger vans,” said school board member Martin Page.

Board member Dough Knight also made a suggestion that was adopted by the board to make sure the board reassess the fuel rate every school year.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other matters, the board approved the Exceptional Children Department’s request for the following contract staff members from various agencies for the 2022-2023 school year.

• Christina Albert: School Psychologist at $77.50 per hour
• Dawn Henriques: EC AU Teacher at $68 per hour
• Judy Solis: Speech Language Pathologist Assistant at $67 per hour
• Kathy Daignault: School Psychologist at $87 per hour
• Jocelyn Anderson: EC Teacher at $68 per hour
• Shannon Tsoumas: EC Teacher at $67 per hour

The EC Department will continue to search for qualified staff to replace the contract workers. 

Also, during the meeting, the board approved increasing the amount for contracts that need board approval from $90,000 to $125,000, which is outlined in Policy #6420.