Board keeps bus policy

The 1,746 children who live within a mile of school can continue to get a ride.

By TOM MARSHALL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2008

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BROOKSVILLE - It won't be cheap, but the Hernando County School Board will continue to provide school bus service to every family that wants it next year.

District officials had suggested the possibility of limiting service to families who live at least a mile from their home schools.

That would have saved the county about $746,000 next year, since the state pays only for children who live at least 2 miles from school. But it also would have left 1,746 children without a bus ride.

Most board members said Monday they were unwilling to look for savings there.

"I'll take the additional cost," said board member Jim Malcolm. "Because in this case, safety is paramount."

Nearly all of the 2,100 students at the new Explorer K-8 will be ineligible for a $380 state transportation subsidy when the school opens next August in Spring Hill, since its zone is less than 2 miles wide.

Board member Sandra Nicholson asked whether the board might be inviting "door-to-door service" by continuing its policy of transporting all children who show up at the bus stop, even if they live next door to their school.

Members agreed they'd treat such situations case by case, but likely wouldn't turn down a family that worried about children crossing busy roads or passing vacant lots.

"I don't think it's worth one child's life," said member Pat Fagan.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or 352 584-5537.