Can IDEA Part B ARRA funds be used to purchase vehicles to transport students with special needs?
Since the cost of the vehicle would most likely exceed $5,000 the LEA would need to get permission from the DE before purchasing it, but IDEA Part B ARRA funds can be used to purchase a vehicle to transport a special education student with specialized transportation listed on their IEP. This use, however, would not be recommended. Please note that the LEA would have to report how the purchasing of the vehicle meets the principles stated on slide #2 of the webinar presentation. Alternately, an LEA could use the freed up state and local special education funds resulting from the MOE reduction to purchase the vehicle and then be allowed to use the vehicle for any type of LEA transportation.
