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Meeting Date:
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7/29/2021 - 5:30 PM
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Category:
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Regular Items of Business
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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12. Action on a Request to Approve Submission of the Head Start Transportation Waiver for the 2021-2022 School Year
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement
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Attachments
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MPS Head Start Transportation Waiver 21-22
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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The Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start Program is seeking approval to provide transportation services to Head Start students (in the three-and four-year-old programs) who request or need transportation to and/or from school in the 2021-22 school year.
As a result of the pandemic, the Milwaukee Public Schools, in tandem with following the CDC guidelines, will implement a three-tiered bell schedule, impacting the bussing transportation. The new bell schedule will provide minimal disruption to the schools with Head Start programming.
MPS currently transports 3,923 K3 and K4 students safely, including Head Start students. The same quality service will continue to be provided for Head Start students in the upcoming school year. In order to implement this service, the Administration is requesting approval to submit the attached Transportation Waiver Request Data Collection Form, which seeks waivers of the following Head Start Performance Standards:
• Child safety-restraint systems requirement (45CFR 1310.11(a)) - three and four-year-old students.
• Bus-monitor requirement (45CFR 1310.15 (c)(1)) – three-year-old and four-year-old students.
Equitable access to educational opportunities is a guiding principle of MPS. The requested waiver would allow all families access to Head Start services, regardless of their transportation circumstances. Equitable access to Head Start resources for all families through the provision of quality and dependable transportation furthers the MPS commitment to a single standard of care for all students.
With the approval of transportation, the average program-attendance rate increased from 83.3% to 90.7% year-to-date. It is our experience that Head Start enrollment and attendance will continue to trend upward if transportation services are continued. Additionally, by offering transportation to all students, families will be able to ride buses together, rather than Head Start children being separated from their siblings.
MPS is committed to a standard of care for all children, and we believe that our long history of transporting K3 and K4 students specifically demonstrates our ability to successfully add the additional Head Start students to our current transportation plan.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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It is expected that 73% of the 1,506 children in Head Start will use the transportation services. Providing this service would involve MPS supporting 109 bus routes at a cost of $3,063,020. The district would cover these costs with local funds and not use Head Start funding to support this service.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Upon approval by the Board, Milwaukee Public Schools will continue to maintain the highest standards in the transportation of students and its a proven track record of safely transporting students in K3-12th grades. All transportation services provided for students are currently fully compliant with 45CFR1310.11(a), 45CFR 1310.15(c)(1), Wisconsin State Statutes, and Administrative Codes. Compliance is ensured through contracts and regular monitoring of provider services.
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Recommendation:
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The Administration recommends that the Board approve the submission of the attached 2021-2022 Head Start Transportation Waiver.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Joandy Williams - Manager of Early Childhood/Head Start
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Signed By:
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David Solik-Fifarek - Director
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Signed By:
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Felicia Saffold, Ed.D. - Senior Director, Curriculum & Instruction
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Signed By:
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Jennifer Mims Howell - Director of Specialized Services
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Signed By:
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Keith Posley, Ed.D. - Superintendent
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