OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state of Washington is seeking a more accurate method of reimbursing school districts for the cost of pupil transportation after a report issued last November by legislative auditors estimated that actual expenditures for the 2004-05 school year exceeded state funding by as much as $114 million.

To that end, the Washington State Office of Financial Management issued a request for proposals (RFP) from firms interested in developing options for a new K-12 student transportation funding methodology. The chosen firm would be expected to develop a final report by Nov. 15, 2008, for consideration by the governor and state Legislature.

The RFP asks for the development of two options and a prediction of their impact on each school district compared to the current funding system. The goal of the funding methodologies would be to create a system that leads to a more accurate allocation of funds and also builds incentives for the efficient use of resources. In addition, the RFP requests a report on the possible use of local transit agencies to provide pupil transportation.