Bill > SB5187

This bill addresses student transportation funding challenges in Washington state by directing the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop a more comprehensive and equitable transportation funding model. The bill recognizes that current funding formulas do not adequately support special student populations, including students with special education needs, students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students attending skill centers. By June 1, 2028, OSPI must provide a detailed analysis of school district transportation costs, disaggregated by specific student demographic categories, and develop a new funding model that addresses the unique transportation challenges faced by different districts, particularly high-density urban and rural areas. Additionally, the bill introduces a new flat-rate funding mechanism that provides $400 per student experiencing homelessness to help cover their specialized transportation needs. The legislation also modifies existing reporting requirements, requiring districts to include more detailed information about student transportation, such as the number of students requiring special transportation under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The overall goal is to create a more transparent, predictable, and inclusive student transportation funding system that better supports the diverse needs of students across Washington state.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5187&Year=2025&Initiative=false