The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides that transportation to school is a related service and the responsibility of the local education agency in order that students receive a free appropriate public education. 

In certain cases, the Exceptional Student Education department, in conjunction with the transportation department, must authorize the payment of mileage reimbursement for parents or group homes to transport students.   Examples of such cases include no available bus, medical issues which cannot be resolved, significant behavior difficulties, or other special circumstances. 

The attached chart reflects the expenditures for mileage paid to individual families or group homes over the last several years.  The increase in expenditures in mileage reflects students who are in a specialty placement outside of Clay County, and transport for group home students with highly volatile behavior.

Approval of this agenda item will ensure that the district fully complies with the requirements of IDEA.

Strategy 2.4 Ensure effective and efficient use of resourced for fiscal stability. 

Goal 2: Improve management of district-wide operations and facilities.

The School Board of Clay County approve the reimbursement of mileage to parents or group homes when transporting by other means is either unsafe or unavailable.