Transportation Finance Report 

🔥 Inferno Schools Transportation Department

Finance Report – Comprehensive Review

Prepared by: Jose Fernandez
Date: April 2025
Department Head: [Insert Name]
Fiscal Year: [Insert Fiscal Year]

🧾 Executive Summary

The Inferno Schools Transportation Department is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of students, faculty, and school-related personnel across the district. This includes regular daily routes, special education transportation, event logistics, and fleet management.

As of the latest update, the department was allocated a total annual budget of $5,844,558.93. Of that, $2,485,545.70 has been utilized for staffing salaries and wage-related expenditures, leaving a remaining balance of $69,599.87 across all accounts.

This report provides a detailed overview of budget allocations, staffing structure, fund utilization, and suggestions for optimizing future transportation expenditures.

💼 Staffing Overview and Payroll Structure

Staffing is the largest component of the Transportation Department's annual budget. Positions are split into Full-Time (FT), Hourly, and Support Roles, each with specific responsibilities critical to department operations.

Driver Roles

Full-Time Drivers

• Hourly Rate: $20.50 – $22.50
  
  

• Annual Salary: $39,975.00 – $43,875.00
  
  

• Count: 18
  
  

• Duties: Regular bus route operation, field trip coverage, and designated shuttle services. FT drivers are typically assigned to longer or more complex routes, often involving students with specific needs or longer geographic coverage.
  
  

Hourly Drivers

• Hourly Rate: $18.50
  
  

• Annual Estimate: $25,900.00 (based on estimated hours)
  
  

• Count: 30+
  
  

• Duties: Provide route coverage, substitute driving, and additional support for extracurricular trips and events. These drivers offer flexibility and are essential for maintaining service continuity.
  
  

Dispatcher and Cleaner Roles

Dispatchers

• Hourly Rate: $17.50 – $19.50
  
  

• Annual Salary: $34,125.00 – $40,560.00
  
  

• Count: 9
  
  

• Shifts: Day, Mid-day, Night, Weekend
  
  

• Duties: Coordinate and track all routes, assign drivers, respond to on-road incidents, and ensure compliance with state transportation protocols. They also manage radio communication and emergency rerouting.
  
  

Center Cleaners

• Hourly Rate: $17.50
  
  

• Annual Salary: $34,125.00
  
  

• Count: 2
  
  

• Duties: Maintain hygiene and sanitation of transportation hubs, driver rest areas, and garage facilities. Their presence has been vital in ensuring compliance with post-COVID safety measures.
  
  

Fleet and Garage Staff

Mechanics (Levels I–IV)

• Hourly Rate: $22.50 – $25.75
  
  

• Annual Salary: $43,875.00 – $50,212.50
  
  

• Count: 4
  
  

• Duties: Perform diagnostics, repairs, and preventive maintenance on the district's fleet of buses and support vehicles. Supervisory mechanics oversee compliance with state inspection schedules and safety audits.
  
  

General Laborers (Levels I–III)

• Hourly Rate: $17.50 – $21.00
  
  

• Annual Salary: $34,125.00 – $40,950.00
  
  

• Count: 3
  
  

• Duties: Support mechanics and custodial staff with parts delivery, bus washing, snow removal, fueling, and parts inventory organization.
  
  

Administrative & Support Staff

• Staff Accountant – $25.50/hr, $51,316.20/year
  
  

• Assistant Director of Transportation – $25.50/hr, $53,040.00/year
  
  

• HR Staff – $21.65/hr, $45,032.00/year
  
  

• Clerk – $16.50/hr, $34,320.00/year
  
  

These staff handle the behind-the-scenes operation, budgeting, payroll, driver certification tracking, compliance with Department of Education regulations, and hiring.

📊 Budget Allocation Breakdown

Budget Category

Amount Allocated

Description

Parts

$1,546,521.20

Bus parts, replacement units (tires, brakes, lights), mechanical supplies, lift equipment

Reimbursement Funds

$142,135.87

Federal/state reimbursable programs and emergency relief funds

Hotel Funds

$25,452.21

Overnight lodging during long-distance school trips or emergency travel accommodations

Technology Funds

$154,236.23

GPS tracking, route optimization software, digital radios, attendance scanners

Activities Director ACC Fund

$20,000.00

Funds designated for student activities support (sports, band, field trips)

Fleet Fund

$330,752.53

Fueling stations, bus procurement, replacement vehicle contracts

Tax to Fleet

$51,568.23

Local/state tax allocations for fleet services

Bonuses

$189,000.00

Performance-based or retention incentives for drivers, mechanics, and dispatchers

Inspire

N/A (multiple entries)

Program for driver retention and morale, includes temporary funding for additional hires

Staff Increase Fund

$63,254.23

Used to support hiring initiatives due to district expansion

Gas Funds

$621,256.32

Daily operational fueling needs (district-wide)

Overtime Pay Budget

$145,236.54

Covers time beyond 40 hours/week for staff working during events, late routes, or inclement weather

📌 Key Observations

1. Staffing is well-distributed, with both full-time and hourly drivers covering the district's expanding needs. However, hourly drivers now outnumber FT drivers, indicating a shift toward part-time flexibility.
   
   

2. A large proportion of the budget is allocated to parts and gas, reflecting the department's operational scale and aging fleet.
   
   

3. Bonuses and the Inspire program are important tools for retaining experienced drivers, especially in a competitive market with driver shortages.
   
   

4. The remaining budget of $69,599.87 is modest, suggesting that proactive planning is required to avoid shortfalls by year-end.
   
   

5. Open positions indicate ongoing recruitment efforts, particularly for FT drivers and administrative support.
   
   

✅ Recommendations

1. Enhance recruitment efforts for FT drivers to reduce reliance on hourly staffing, which can lead to inconsistency in coverage.
   
   

2. Expand the Inspire program with retention incentives, especially for long-haul drivers and mechanics.
   
   

3. Invest in electric or hybrid buses, if grants or partnerships become available, to reduce fuel costs in the long term.
   
   

4. Implement fleet scheduling software to optimize fuel consumption and reduce wear on older buses.
   
   

5. Consider cross-training laborers and cleaners to assist during peak maintenance seasons or driver absences.
   
   

🏁 Conclusion

The Inferno Schools Transportation Department is operating efficiently within its financial constraints and continues to prioritize student safety and service reliability. With continued investments in staff, technology, and maintenance, the department is poised to meet the growing needs of the district.