Politics

Governor Announces $20.5 Million Allocation to Cover Special Education Transportation

Published Sep 30, 2026, 7:57 AM ASTvia El Nuevo Día

At a glance

  • The Oversight Board authorized $20.5 million for special education transportation services
  • The Department of Education completed the competitive bidding process for transportation services
  • The Oversight Board also authorized $6 million for technological services for government agencies

Why this matters: The allocation of $20.5 million for special education transportation services will directly impact the education and daily lives of students with special needs and their families in Puerto Rico.

Governor Jenniffer González announced that the Financial Oversight and Management Board (JSF) authorized the reprogramming of just over $26.5 million to pay for several government services, including transportation for Special Education students and technology services. In a letter dated September 29, the Oversight Board executive director Robert Mujica said the board approved, "with observations," the Department of Education’s request to reprogram $20.5 million to cover transportation costs during the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year for students in the Special Education program.

Mujica wrote that the board approved the request given progress toward a milestone, since the Department of Education, with support from the General Services Administration (ASG), completed a competitive bidding process and awarded the contract for regular and special education transportation services. Mujica also warned that Education identified a deficit for the second semester of the fiscal year, so it must plan, prioritize, and allocate available resources, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OGP), to meet recurring operating commitments before directing funds to other initiatives.

González praised the funding, saying it will finance "an essential service" for students and their families. The Oversight Board also authorized a $6 million disbursement for the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (Prits), to be used to pay for Microsoft product licenses for government agencies.

In context (787daily, from public data)

SourceEl Nuevo Día

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