Explore busing options

Iowa City School officials have proposed pulling the plug on busing for hundreds of Iowa City Regina students next school year.

It's just one of many tough decisions ahead as the district looks for ways to slash its budget.

But before they park those Regina busses, school leaders first should take a hard look at alternatives.

Opting to reimburse parents instead of providing transportation for to those private K-12 students would save money, but it could create difficulties for families.

State law requires public school systems either to provide transportation to public and non-public students in their school districts or to reimburse students' families for transportation costs.

Superintendent Lane Plugge has said reimbursing instead of busing Regina's 420 bus-eligible students would save the district about $260,000 a year.

School leaders estimate that while it will cost the district about $432,531 to operate 11 busses for Regina students this year, the school will receive only about $173,013 to cover the costs.

Iowa City school board members plan to discuss the idea at an upcoming board meeting.

Reimbursing non-public school families wouldn't be an unusual move. More of the state's school district opt for reimbursement, which is paid by the state, than choose to provide the ride to school.

Last spring, 128 school districts reimbursed families of non-public school students. Only 92 provided the transportation.

Even Iowa City Schools already reimburse families of students who attend Willowwind School, another private school within the district's boundaries.

But dozens of Regina parents and school leaders have asked the board to reconsider canceling bus service to their school. They say it will put some families, who have relied on that bus service, in a difficult situation.

They asked the district to explore other money-saving ideas instead - like changing routes or sharing busses.

It's worth taking another look.

The district already has cut the number of busses it uses from 121 last school year to 105 at the beginning of this year, according to Paul Bobek, the district's executive director of administrative services. That's great.

But are there more efficiencies yet to be found?

Last spring, district officials estimated that staggering start and end times at different schools could save the district between $275,000 and $825,000 each school year.

But last month, Plugge recommended discontinuing service to Regina instead, in part, because it avoids the inconvenience of changing school schedules and negotiating the change with teachers.

Those are valid concerns. But so are the concerns voiced by Regena parents.

Board members should consider both sides before they decide.