The Andover School Board and the Budget Committee are recommending that Andover voters approve a warrant article to fund a transportation study.

The transportation study originated due to concerns by the Budget Committee that current negotiations by the School Board with various bus vendors revealed disturbing trends, chief among them being:

• the consolidation of bus companies to larger, regional entities with clout,
• and sharp increases in transportation costs.

In spite of School Board’s success in negotiating a lower figure for the five-year contract with the vendor, it is evident these trends will inhibit the ability of small districts to negotiate favorable contracts unless voters are presented with other options.

The proposed transportation study will look into the feasibility of Andover owning and maintaining its own fleet. Notions such as the formation of transportation cooperatives between adjoining districts for the purpose of sharing fuel, maintenance, and other operating costs are possible areas to be considered.

Proposed funding for this transportation study is contingent on there being a surplus at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. While there won’t be any apparent adverse effect on the tax burden from this funding mechanism for 2015, traditionally the fund balance has been used as a buffer to offset the tax burden.