Budget Rating Simulator

The 2024 Budget Rating Simulator is available for downloading.

Download the new Simulator (NOTE: Currently Requires Microsoft Office 2007 or newer)

Operating instructions and notes

There are several important notes in using the Simulator to predict budget ratings for next year.


  1. Update students transported from the September, 2024 student count, including those transported by contract transportation.
  2. Update the number of buses you will indicate operated on regular routes for more than half the school year in 2024-25 on the TD-1 (which should align with the TD-10)
  3. Update Expenditures based on 2024-2025.

And, to put everything back in "2023-2024" dollars:

  • Enter the amount that you received for legislative increases in 24-25 (line 9 on the April 2024 transportation funding sheet). The amount is listed on the Operating Data tab when doing simulations and must be entered by the user.
  • Fuel - You will need to enter the fuel cost differential. This is entered on the Operating Data tab when doing simulations. Fuel cost was allotted at $2.75 during 2023-2024 (with contingency above that). The 2024-25 school year average State Term Contract price was approximately $2.35 (-0.40). This indicates a cost advantage in 24-25 compared to fuel in 23-24.
  • Deduct the amount the LEA received in contingency funding in 2024-25
  • Make sure that you do NOT include ineligible expenditures from PRC 056 such as equipment, computers, salaries and benefits over the allowable ranges, etc.

Questions should be directed to DPI Transportation Services.