The Panel for Educational Policy’s vote comes after an agreement with school bus companies that averted a system shutdown last month. But it’s unlikely the new deal will usher in immediate reform of the city’s dysfunctional and notoriously unreliable school bus service, which is used by students with disabilities in particular.

Randi Levine, policy director at Advocates for Children of New York, said the nonprofit is constantly fielding complaints about buses. “There’s plenty of blame to go around but what’s clear is that extending the 46-year-old bus contracts again and again is not serving our students,” she said. “Now, the incoming administration must move forward to ensure new, improved bus service is in place by the time the next extension expires.”