New bus contract raises first-year transportation cost 18%

What happened

The district's five-year contract with its only bidder, EBT, is expected to cost about $81.6 million. The first-year increase is 18%, then 8%, 6%, 6% and 8%. Transportation is $21.4 million of the 2026-27 budget. A state rule to buy only zero-emission buses from 2027 could push the first-year increase to 46%.

Why it matters to families

Busing is one of the fastest growing costs, so it competes with classroom spending under the tax cap. A zero-emission fleet could cost $27 million for buses plus $11 million for charging upgrades.

The evidence

The March 23, 2026 budget presentation lists the bid results, yearly increases and zero-emission estimates. Whether the state mandate stays in place is not settled in the source.

The source