X

News & Insights

 
05Mar

Using Public Funds to Secure the Ready Status of Drivers and Fleet on COVID Instruction Days

3/5/2021| Reference Number : 165.0| Legal, School Bus | COVID, COVID-19, Gift of Public Funds, School Closure Days | | Return|

Across the nation, numerous school transportation contractors continue to experience the financial strain caused by school closures due to the coronavirus. The sudden elimination of in-person school days during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years has driven many school districts to refuse to pay their transportation contractors, citing that because no driving occurred, there is no service to pay for. However, even when no driving is performed, transportation contractors continue to provide services, such as the maintenance of fleet and continued payments for equipment, insurance, and rent. Still, school districts continue to argue that they should not pay their contractors, claiming that such payments to the contractors would be an improper use or “a gift of public funds” which is prohibited by state law. This note will explain why the school’s argument against payment on this point is an inaccurate interpretation of state law.

Click Here to Read More

Related

Flexible Instructional Days Could Reduce School Transportation Needs

On July 2, 2019, Governor Tom Wolf, signed SB 440 into law allowing Pennsylvania schools to have up ...

Read More >
School Transportation Security Awareness

School Transportation Security Awareness

As you may know, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a specific division that addre...

Read More >
Student Discipline & IEPs

Student Discipline & IEPs

With the school year now settling into normal routines, inevitably some contractors and bus drivers ...

Read More >
Preparing Bids Post-COVID

Preparing Bids Post-COVID

For many contractors this spring is the first time since the COVID-19 school shutdowns began, that t...

Read More >
Safe Walking Routes

Safe Walking Routes

Often, transportation contracts specify that school districts have the responsibility to establish b...

Read More >
Drug & Alcohol Policies - Discretionary or Zero Tolerance

Drug & Alcohol Policies - Discretionary or Zero Tolerance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains strigent requirements for drug and...

Read More >

Search

Categories