SCHOOL BUS STUDY TO OFFER SOLUTION TO DISTRICT'S $600,000 SHORTFALL.

Byline: James J. Rodriguez Daily News Staff Writer

Faced with a $600,000 transportation deficit, the Saugus Union School District will commission an audit of its busing program.

Over the past eight years, the district - the only one in the Santa Clarita Valley that offers free busing - has had increased transportation costs with no increase in state funding, said Superintendent Joe Fazio.

Now, Fazio said the district's $945,000 annual transportation budget is facing the deficit.

"We are going to ask this firm to come in and do an audit on our current transportation problem in order to reduce that deficit," Fazio said. "We want an independent auditor to come in primarily to give us suggestions on how we might approve the efficiency of our operations."

Fazio said it's too soon to tell whether auditors will recommend that the district cut the deficit by charging for busing. Nonetheless, the idea isn't one favored by Fazio and board members.

"We are not ruling out anything at this point," Fazio said. "I will tell you charging does not seem to be in the immediate future. But in the distant future, that may be a possibility."

Board member Michael P. Kennick, however, said he wouldn't support charging students to ride the buses. First off, he said, the district is required by law to provide transportation for special education students. Secondly, he said a lopsided enrollment in the district means some children are bused to less crowded schools beyond their neighborhoods.

Board member Doug Bryce agreed.

"If you are going to require those kids to be bused, there is no way you could have them pay for it," Bryce said.

The district's 18-employee transportation program includes busing for about 1,200 students, including those enrolled in special education. The department's fleet includes 21 buses, 17 of which are used on a regular basis.

Transportation director George Gilbert has been working with district administrators in finding ways to cut costs. Board members said a few cost savings have been tried successfully, but said they would like to see more cuts.

So board members decided Tuesday to hire the auditors at a cost of no more than $3,000.

Fazio said the auditing team might find ways to reduce or consolidate bus routes and change schedules at some schools to make the transportation system work more efficiently.

Fazio predicted that the board would oppose contracting for busing as is done in the Newhall and William S. Hart school districts.

"This is something the district has looked at on a number of occasions," he said. "I think there is a general reluctance to contract because the system we have works very well. We have drivers we can depend on and who are known by parents, students and staff.

"I'm not sure (contracting) would be a significant savings," he added. "And the level of service would be questioned."

Board member Doug Bryce said he supports immediately spending money that could help the district save in the long run.

"It's always good to have somebody from the outside come in and show you how your operation is not as efficient as it could be," Bryce said. "I think we will be able to see a benefit from it."

Bryce said one of the major transportation costs facing the district is the delay in extending Plum Canyon Road to Whites Canyon Road, which will shorten the drive to schools on the east side of the district.

"Right now we have kids riding the bus for an hour that should only be on the bus for five minutes," Bryce said.

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Photo (color) Saugus Union School District's director of transportation, George Gilbert, is attempting to cut busing costs. John Lazar/Special to the Daily News