The Mercer Island School District transportation department has been listed as one of the most efficient compared to other King County school districts.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which handles transportation costs, reported that the MISD in the 2008-2009 school year spent $1.78 per student trip on buses, only behind Kent’s $1.74 per trip. The state average is $2.29 a trip.

If the district had been equal to the state, the district would have spent an additional $286,000 a year on bus costs.

“Huge kudos go to Todd Kelsay, transportation director, and our entire school operations team for the safe and efficient transport of our students,” said Superintendent Gary Plano.