WATERCOOLER: ( ORIG post 9-23-2005) Should School Districts charge bus fees rather than make teacher layoffs?

( Ed note: I have reposted this from 9-23-2005. Evansville Schools is up to renew its bus contract in December. I believe the plan is to use the reserve fund for energy shock expenses this winter. One alternative would be to begin to charge students for bus service just like lunch service. Those unable to pay would be qualified for reduced fee. But the district would thus begin to get out of the transportation business and focus on the main mission, teaching. When teachers begin unplugging their coffee pots, it means the energy crisis has arrived. This post is for reflection in preparation for the school board meeting tonight.)

Even a quick review of a school distric budget will reveal huge expenses for transportation. In the Evansville School District for the coming school year for example, the expense is $522,050. Yes, there is some transportation aid of $26,000, but the cost is still big.

All across the country, school districts that are facing essential cuts in teaching positions, and yes, teaching assistant positions in the elementary grades, are asking themselves what their essential mission is. Is it transportation or teaching? They are choosing to charge fees for transportation, and allowing the bus company to structure the fees that make sense on mileage and frequency etc. In short, some schools are getting out of the transportation business and putting the money to work saving instructional staff.

Click on the post to see an article on this issue from San Antonio.

When we talk about budgets, it is always a case of adding fees or cutting costs. Period. Both ideas spark emotional response. Energy costs relate to transportation. Energy crisis requires response. There is no way around it.

What are your thoughts on this issue? There is no current proposal from Evansville schools to charge for transportation. This topic is for discussion on the WATERCOOLER. What are your thoughts?