SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Public Schools is exploring a shift from contracted transportation services to establishing its own fleet of buses.
For decades, the district has relied on contracted bus services to safely transport students. Recently, the district transitioned from Durham School Services to Zūm.
Superintendent Adam Swinyard shared that the potential change aims to achieve “advantageous savings.”
“How do we become more efficient, how do we potentially increase service levels and then keep our costs as stable as possible in the wake of our interest to increase service levels?” said Swinyard.
During a special meeting Wednesday night, a solution was proposed: owning and operating the district’s own fleet of school buses.
“As we consider moving to an in-house model, our goal is to design a system that is efficient, sustainable and expands access for the greatest number of students,” said one board member.
A consultant was brought in to present to the board on why this move could be beneficial. The presentation highlighted a recent change in Washington state law.
Historically, school districts saved money on employment costs by contracting out bussing. However, this is no longer the case.
Ryan Hahn explained, “With all of their requirements for state employment by the agencies that follow those now, that is looking less and less advantageous when we’re looking at cost escalations relating to adding those benefit contributions and employed and, retirement.”
The state requires districts to demonstrate cost savings by using outside providers instead of running their own bus fleet.
“And so, we’re always looking to find the win-win between those sometimes-competing variables of providing the highest level of service, being as efficient as we possibly can,” said Swinyard.
Swinyard emphasized that these discussions are preliminary as the district continues to explore all options.
“Nothing of what you heard tonight is a ‘have to’,” said Swinyard.
The district is contracted with Zūm through 2028, so no action will be taken until then.
