Student transportation in Indiana: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Indiana transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated October 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with the Indiana Department of Education before you act on them.
How does Indiana fund schools?
Indiana funds school corporations through state tuition support based on average daily membership (ADM). Under IC 20-43-4-2 the state takes 2 counts a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The spring census date for 2025-26 was February 2, 2026.
Sources: State Board of Education, membership count dates (IC 20-43-4-2) and Indiana Department of Education, spring count date 2026
What did the 2025 attendance law change?
Senate Enrolled Act 482 took effect July 1, 2025. It defines chronic absenteeism as missing at least 10% of instructional days in a school year for any reason, about 18 days, and standardizes how schools report absences to the Indiana Department of Education. Districts still set their own excused and unexcused absence policies.
Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle, SEA 482
How do districts pay for school buses?
School corporations can replace buses from the operations fund. Before they do, a resolution approving the school bus replacement plan must be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance under IC 20-40-18-9.
Source: Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, 2025 bus replacement plan memo
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