Legislative Update March 13, 2012

School Bus Privatization School Bus Facts South Carolina only state-run school bus system in country State owned yellow buses = 5,700 District owned yellow buses = 200 State shifting funding responsibility to district (FY2010 - State 45%, District 55%) Governor’s budget calls for state to ‘divest’ itself of responsibility for bus service by June 30, 2016 Lawmakers proposed South Carolina School Bus Privatization Act of 2012 (H.4610) in January 2012

School Bus Privatization Governor’s Proposal Individual districts will operate bus fleets themselves or outsource to private company Funding model will allocate funds to districts based on number of students including factors for population density and special needs students

School Bus Privatization School Bus Privatization Act of 2012 Would end state system by July 1, 2015 Shift responsibility to local school districts, can begin as soon as the 2012-2013 school year Bus maintenace facilities sold, leased to private entities, or closed Requires buses be less than 15 years old (currently 70% of state buses > 15 years old) Savings from privatization of school buses put into School Transportation Reimbursement Fund Fund will be used to reimburse districts for transportation costs

School Bus Privatization School Bus Privatization Act of 2012 Formula will be established for payment to districts based on per-vehicle and per-mile basis Requires that current drivers and maintenance employees be considered for hiring by private entity or district if providing their own service Districts can contract with private providers before implementation (Beaufort, Charleston County, Dorchester Two)

School Bus Privatization SCSBA’s Position General Assembly must conduct thorough review of current state system Transportation for public schools must ensure: Student safety top priority Adequate state funding for operation, maintenance and replacement on a recurring basis, with no financial burden falling on local districts The unique needs of all districts are met

South Carolina Public Schools are Succeeding! SC is one of the few states that have increased high school seniors scores on ACT despite dramatically greater numbers of test takers Midland Valley High School Tool Identification Team takes first place at lower region