New busing options for Iowa City School District students

Busing is required by state law for K-8 students living over two miles from their school and high school students living three miles away, but many students living at closer distances have traditionally received 'discretionary busing”. Due to continued inadequate funding, the Iowa City school board has at several times considered discontinuing discretionary busing to cut costs.

About 1,500 students receive discretionary busing, at a cost to the district of roughly $850,000 out of our general fund, the same fund that pays for teachers and classrooms. Previously, the board has examined neighborhoods on a case-by-case basis to determine if busing should be provided due to other barriers.

With the opening of Alexander Elementary School in August, the district identified many families with significant transportation, language, and socioeconomic barriers living closer than two miles from school. The board acted swiftly to provide buses to those families, but also formed a committee to examine discretionary busing and provide a recommendation for a districtwide transportation renewal.

After reviewing the committee's report and recommendations, the board made a difficult decision and voted unanimously to replace discretionary busing by expanding the district Pay-to-Ride system for students in 'discretionary zones”. Pay-to-Ride pricing is tiered so that families with socioeconomic barriers can still receive busing at no cost. Families with multiple students receive decreased and free rates. This change is expected to save the district roughly one half-million dollars annually - money which will be used directly to fund efforts to increase math and reading proficiency and decrease the achievement gap.

Families living over one mile from their school who have socioeconomic barriers or other extreme circumstances (such as health issues) should apply for discretionary busing, which would be available at no additional cost. Other families in these areas can apply to pay for bus service if there are routes and seats available. You may also consider carpools, before and after school programs, and walking school bus programs.

Additionally, neighborhoods can appeal the Board's decision, or, as we gather input over the next month to shape new elementary school attendance zones, you might poll your neighbors to determine whether busing is a top priority and submit that information to the board for consideration. Finally, potential changes to next year's bell schedule might ameliorate before and after school concerns.

The board did not come to this decision lightly. I know I struggled with the decision. In voting for the changes, we eliminated discretionary busing for children in my neighborhood, including my own daughter. I believe that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and in a time of dwindling resources, we need the dollars allocated to where we can help the most students achieve. Like many families, my wife and I will look at our options and figure it out. Our daughter will get to school next year and thanks to this decision, our most vulnerable students will too.

' Brian Kirschling is vice president of the Iowa City school board. The opinions expressed are not necessarily reflective of the board. Comments: Brian.Kirschling@iowacityschools.org