Q. In the past we were allowed to claim services on the bus if the student required the services from the time they left their home until they returned to their home. How has the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) changed that?
A. We have always felt that any services during transportation are transportation related services and considering that the Circuit Breaker statute (MGL Chapter 71B Section 5A) prohibited transportation as an eligible cost, we considered these services ineligible. Because of the feedback from districts, we allowed districts to claim services on the bus if the student required the services from the time they left their home until they returned to their home. The SOA allows transportation for pupils attending out-of-district programs as an eligible expense phased in beginning in this claim cycle. Consequently, we have returned to our original premise that any services during transportation are considered transportation services. 25% of Out-of-District (OOD) transportation costs are eligible to be claimed in this claiming cycle.
Last Updated: July 9, 2020
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