MOUNT VERNON — As a cost savings measure, both the East Knox and Mount Vernon school boards have voted to eliminate high school busing, effective the 2011-12 school year. The savings realized from that action is determined by a number of factors, such as the number of routes eliminated, the salaries of the bus drivers involved, diesel fuel, tires and upkeep of each bus.
Each East Knox and Mount Vernon bus route dropped is projected to save approximately $42,000 in direct costs.
East Knox is going from 12 routes for the 2010-11 school year to 10, a savings of at least $84,000. Mount Vernon will reduce its routes from 23 full-time routes to 18. The elimination of those five bus routes is expected to save the district approximately $210,000.
East Knox has also eliminated the position of transportation coordinator. It has contracted with Mount Vernon City Schools to share routing software, and middle school principal Lisa Brown will serve as transportation coordinator at no extra cost to the district. Mount Vernon’s transportation coordinator also serves as that district’s custodial/maintenance supervisor.
