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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 26, 2017 03:47 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Reese |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Proposed Legislation: Parent Waiver of Free School Transportation Services |
| I am preparing to introduce legislation that will relieve a school district that provides for the free school transportation of students residing in the district from this responsibility under the Public School Code if the student’s parent or guardian waives transportation service in writing. Section 1361 of the Public School Code prescribes the conditions under which a school district may provide for the free transportation of students living in the school district to and from the school in which the student is lawfully enrolled. Under current law, if a school district provides this service, the district must be prepared to transport all students living in the district, even if many parents arrange for their own private transportation of their children to school. This requirement forces school districts to plan for the transportation of students who may never ride the school bus, leading to unnecessary transportation costs. Under my legislation, a school district that provides free school transportation services to students living in the district will not be required to provide such transportation services provided that (1) the school district issues a survey, in paper or electronic form, to the parents or guardians of all resident students regarding the student’s need for free transportation service in the upcoming school year; and (2) the parent or guardian returns the survey indicating that the parent or guardian elects to waive free transportation service for the upcoming school year. My bill allows a parent or guardian to revoke the waiver in writing, which in turn will require the school district to resume providing free transportation service to the student within five days. Please join me in supporting this legislation that will provide needed cost savings to our school districts. Thank you for your consideration. |