Auburn MA Public School Bus Fee - Update pg 13 #184

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have never in my life heard of having to pay for public school busing! That is outrageous to me. I hope you are able to get things resolved. I don't know if we are the "norm" or your situation is, but no where in our district has to pay for bussing. We also live quite close to DD school, and I would be appalled to have to shell out $$ for that. Um, hello, tax money!! Good luck resolving this!

It's the 2 mile rule. I think they have that here to unless the child has to cross a busy intersection.

We don't have busses from our neighborhoods to the local school anyway. It is essentially a neighborhood school.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is there any type of company that could measure the distance between you and the school so that you could back your distance claim officially?


I'm wondering what happens to the kids whose parents can't afford the bus fee.

The child walks, rides a bike, gets walked by the parents, rides bikes with the parent, or is drive by the parent.

(parent or other person that parent chooses)

There are many schools in this country that do not offer bussing at all.




As for the distance--I would fight it. I would get the news involved. I might even threaten a lawsuit since they refuse to use an OFFICIAL REGULATED MEASURING METHOD to measure the distance to come to that ruling.

Mapquest has errors--OFTEN!

I once mapquested from my house to a friends. They live north of me...on a road parallel to A1A. Yet mapquest NEVER put us on that parallel road. They had me going to some crazy location off of A1A. Their street doesn't even come close to intersecting with A1A. (it is about 1 mile west from A1A). Since I knew approximately wear they lived and that they had canal boat access...I knew they were off of that other road.

If your school had used that map as their "defense"--they most assuredly would lose b/c it was just plain wrong. Anyone who has had a simple geography lesson and can read a REAL map would easily be able to see that.

If you have any attorney friends--they can write up something for you in legalease to compel the school board to make sure they are rendering CORRECT decisions.

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

I've learned from these boards that everytime I want to complain about being charged for something involving the schools- all I need to do is look here and I could have it MUCH worse! I was irritated about the charges for REQUIRED ELECTIVES in my son's new middle school (because they are REQUIRED!)- but heck, that was just a piddling bill compared to what some of you are paying for PUBLIC transportation!

And it seems like you could get a regular yearly bus pass for our regular buses cheaper then a school pass for some of your kids!

 

[NMW]

From these boards I have learned to LOVE the state of Pennsylvania! No book fees, no bus fees, no providing supplies to the classrooms...I am never complaining about this state again.

 

[cats mom]

I'm wondering what happens to the kids whose parents can't afford the bus fee.

I can only speak to our district, but free or reduced price bus passes are available for those who qualify based on income.
Much like free or reduced price meal programs.

I'll steer very clear of any comments on that though.


Op I agree that I'd focus on the distance thing rather than on the decision of the previous superintendant if you decide to pursue this. Keep us posted and good luck.

BTW, I guess it's all relative; since my transportation department payment for 3 kids in public school (who clearly live well within the established bus area of their respective schools) will be WELL over $1,000 this year, I'd gladly hand over $100 for the convenience of riding the bus if we were borderline.

 

[Beca]

I have never heard of paying for busses until this year. A town not far from me just started charging $300.00 per student per semester!! That is $1200.00 per year per student!

I don't live in the town, so I haven't paid major attention to details, but I think that is rediculous!! Also,what happens when you have more than one child?? Do they get a "break"???

There are two semesters in a school year....that would be $600 per student, not $1200.

 

[GraysMom]

It was just in our newspaper this morning, that students in Philadelphia public, private and charter schools, will have free bussing this year. The state has funded the bussing for these students.

Locally, Allentown students are not bussed. They have to pay $1 each way on the city buses to get to and from school. As far as I know, they are the only district in the area that doesn't bus all of their students. With "No Child Left Behind", satisfactory school attendance numbers are part of the equation for schools to be considered in compliance. I would think schools close to the edge of being out of compliance (like Allentown) would do everything possible to up attendance levels (although money is a big factor there).

It should be interesting to see if Allentown is able to secure the state money needed to offer free bus rides on city buses.

 

[katieandallycat]

I forgot to mention in my earlier posts...every family has to transport to their home school, no matter how far. They only supply buses if your child is either special ed, overflow or thru open enrollment (thur 3rd only). And you must take the child to the home school to pick up the bus, this includes special ed, overflow and open enrollment.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Yep. Obviously this superindendent has proven that not only is the world getting technologically smaller, it's getting physically smaller. Two miles last year is less than two miles this year. By the time your child graduates, the distance from your house to the school will be twenty five feet.

"NEW MATH" haven't heard of it yet?

 

[magiroux]

Last year we entered the public school system with DS6 (now entering 1st grade). The town of Auburn, MA imposed a $100 per student bus fee for any child who resides under 2 miles from the school. MA state law says any child 5th grade or lower and under 2 miles from the school, transportation does have to be provided. I'm not sure how long people have had to pay for public school bussing but this was our 1st encounter. Now I had physically pulled out of our driveway, set the odometer, and driven every direction, method, route possible to the school and the shortest route possible hits exactly 2 miles - other methods including the bus route was way more than 2. But mapquest has us at 1.9 miles and that is the mapping method they use. I had this arguement last year and the superintendant decided that we did meet the rules requirements and gave me the bus pass last year. I was assured at that time (unfortunately now not in writing!) that this would be taken care of while my son remained at that school and we remained at this address. So at the end of last school year, I mailed out the form for both children now (DD is starting kindergarten) and included the map showing us 2 miles from the school and stated on the form that this was taken care of this past year. A co-worker asked if I got my bus passes on Sat. and we did not. Monday, Tuesdays mail came - nothing. So I call the school superintendants office today and they say I will not get the pass unless I pay $200 After I made my arguement and showed up AT THE OFFICE with the map they have stated that they will talk to to "interim" superintendant (last years quit!) and "get back to me"

Thank you for letting me vent....

To make your case, you need to find something(in hard copy) to show that your "door to door" milage is greater than 2 miles. Otherwise, you do not have a case

I am really interested in this. Do you pay less in taxes? I am paying $16,000 a year in taxes so I think that is why the bus is covered. But are you also paying big taxes and still having to pay?

If I payed 16K a year in taxes , I would demand a limo come each day to pick up my kid and take them to school.

I think I would be walking my child to school or driving him myself....that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. It's a public school and state funded...why are they not providing the transportation????

Because, the School Department has submitted a budget that the city can not afford and it gets bounced back to the SC to cut costs and/or implement fees. So, to be able to afford kids attending sports for free, teacher contract imposed raises/benefits and other incindentals, they opt to charge parents to bus their children (because they can) in hopes that the outrage will restore their origianl submitted budget . And if that doesn't work, well the School Commitees stil get fully funded...no skin off their back. Sorry, went through this exact scenario a few years ago

Wow! This law is news to me and I live in MA. I went to school (elementary through HS) in the city that I live in, and my 2 children both go to an elementary school right now, and NO school bus services were ever provided for me, nor are they for my children ~ not even for a fee. As a matter of fact, when I signed up DD for kindergarten 5 yrs ago, we were told that transportation must be provided by the family. (???) Fortunately we do live within 2 miles from the school, but what if that was not the case?

When I was in school, I either walked ~ it took me 40 minutes to walk to my elementary school, or paid for the public bus (with coins or a bus pass paid for by my mother) when I entered middle and high school.

We are property owners and pay plenty of taxes here, live in a city yet it is rural where we are, and no school buses for my children ~ I wonder just what law in MA this is?

Lori ~ living it up in the southcoast of MA (without school busses)

Because, according to MA Law, the city does not HAVE to provide public transportation to any that lives under 2 miles "door to door". We now live in the house that my DH grew up in. He never had public transportation to the local elementary school, whereas my DD has always had a bus pick her up outside our front door. Now, instead of all the neighborhood kids walking to school together, they all hop on the bus.

Although this is a guideline. I know I have a link at home to the MA state laws outlining it as well but do not have access to it right now (at work).

check out this: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/transport/guide_1.html

But my major argument with the whole thing is how can they say last year yes you meet the guidelines here is your pass and now this year although absolutely nothing has changed - not the guidelines, and we haven't moved, the school hasn't moved, we have not had a major act of god that shifted our locations at all - we do not meet the guidelines

Because, (and I don't mean to be flip) it sounds like your previous super just didn't want to deal with you and just gave in to you. Unless you can prove otherwise now, as far as they are concerned, you are 1.9 miles and are NOT eligible for free transportation

I am not even arguing the distance here at this point, my arguement is we had this debate last year and the school system rendered a decision. We were told that as long as residence status does not change nor school location that we were all set. So because of staffing issues and bad record keeping we pay the price? I don't think so!

Yes, but you have to argue the distance. Otherwise, you do not have a leg to stand on. The law is clear and unless you can prove that you are over 2 miles, they feel they have every right to refuse you services. You can argue that you did not pay last year, but you were even told that is one of the reasons that super has been dismissed. Basically for not implementing policy, an incompetency that you happened to benefit from

Mass schools are going downhill. My kids are going to private schools this year, it's going to be tight. How about the town fire department stop buying Expeditions, it seems every town has one. They don't need those expensive vehicles. Or how about taking some money out of sports, busses are more important. If you want to play sports then pay for it.

AMEN!!! This is some of the problems that are killing our infrastructure. We passed a teacher's contract this year that the Mayor said, point blank, we would not be able to fund in 2009. What did they do......passed it anyway. If we get away with just bus fees in 2009 we will be lucky

Yep. Obviously this superindendent has proven that not only is the world getting technologically smaller, it's getting physically smaller. Two miles last year is less than two miles this year. By the time your child graduates, the distance from your house to the school will be twenty five feet.

That is not the case, though. The official ruling was that she was 1.9 miles. The super gave her a break. Now, if she can PROVE that she is over 2 miles (which she has yet to do to the school district's satifaction) she will be entilted to free bussing

"NEW MATH" haven't heard of it yet?

We are very familiar with "NEW MATH" in this house

 

[magiroux]

Oops, forgot to post an important point.....

There is a software program that *I think* your city is required to purchase (and it ain't mapquest ) to figure out mileage. Like I said, I went through this a few years ago, so I don't remember the program name, only that it costs over 5K and the city didn't fund the purchase of it so couldn't correctly figure out the milage, therefor could not implement the fees. You should look into it and make sure they are following the guidlines for determining mileage.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

To make your case, you need to find something(in hard copy) to show that your "door to door" milage is greater than 2 miles. Otherwise, you do not have a case

That is not the case, though. The official ruling was that she was 1.9 miles. The super gave her a break. Now, if she can PROVE that she is over 2 miles (which she has yet to do to the school district's satifaction) she will be entilted to free bussing[/COLOR]

Just for the record I did provide them with documentation. I provided it last year and the superintendant did give us the pass, I provided it with this years application, and I provided it again when they "claimed" that they did not have record of any such documentation but yet they did have the application . Conveniently enough they do not have documented why we did not pay for bussing last year, just that we didn't so this is enough to reject our application this year.

 

[LadyBears]

There are two semesters in a school year....that would be $600 per student, not $1200.

I was basing it on our school system:
Elementary schools do trimesters: this year terms end Nov 27, March 11 & the last day of school is June 19th

Middle School & High School have 4 semesters: this year terms end Nov 9, Jan 25, Apr 4 & last day of school is June 19th.

I just assumed the other town had the same thing as us & the rest of our neighboring towns (that I also know for a fact has 4 semesters)

I looked at their website, but they don't list their semesters. I did see that they are doing this only at the highschool level, not all grades. Also, they closed 2 schools & are now charging fees at the Middle School for the After-school Program and at the High School for music, sports, extra-curricular activities and bus transportation.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

From these boards I have learned to LOVE the state of Pennsylvania! No book fees, no bus fees, no providing supplies to the classrooms...I am never complaining about this state again.

I wouldn't go as far as not complaining about this state ever again, but I do agree with everything else.

 

[Beca]

I was basing it on our school system:
Elementary schools do trimesters: this year terms end Nov 27, March 11 & the last day of school is June 19th

Middle School & High School have 4 semesters: this year terms end Nov 9, Jan 25, Apr 4 & last day of school is June 19th.

I just assumed the other town had the same thing as us & the rest of our neighboring towns (that I also know for a fact has 4 semesters)

I looked at their website, but they don't list their semesters. I did see that they are doing this only at the highschool level, not all grades. Also, they closed 2 schools & are now charging fees at the Middle School for the After-school Program and at the High School for music, sports, extra-curricular activities and bus transportation.

Wow...I stand corrected. I know I am a bit of a language buff, but maybe (in addition to addressing the incredibly high cost of this transportation) someone could also address with your school district the fact that they are using the wrong terminology for the division of their school year (thus teaching the children incorrectly). The word "semester" is a Greek and Latin variant, which means "six months" or "one-half of the year" (seme= six, menstre= month). The term has been used in an educational setting as far back as the Greeks and Romans themselves. In those days, schooling was year-round (thus, the six month time frame). The term has been used to descibe "one half of the educational year" in countries where Romance languages are spoken countinuously ever since. The word semester is not a generic term for "part". I'm sorry, but educational administrators should know better.

 

[magiroux]

Just for the record I did provide them with documentation. I provided it last year and the superintendant did give us the pass, I provided it with this years application, and I provided it again when they "claimed" that they did not have record of any such documentation but yet they did have the application . Conveniently enough they do not have documented why we did not pay for bussing last year, just that we didn't so this is enough to reject our application this year.

My misunderstanding. I understood your post to read it was determined that you were officially 1.9 miles and the super alone made the decision that you were over the 2 miles. Sorry!!

I guess if I were in your shoes my question would be what software are they using to determine your milage. If it is not the software program mandated by the Mass Board of Education I would contact the DOE Monday Morning (no sense to keep arguing with the school dept at this point) and make my case. They are the ones that set the rules/policy that your district has to follow. Also, if they ARE using the mandatory software that is regulated by the state and it is determined you are under the 2 miles using that software, well, it is what it is.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. When it was threatened in our community they picketed daily at City Hall. Guess what??? The fee was recinded and NO teachers were laid off as a result. That was the threat that was handed down from the SC. Miracously they found an extra $300,000 hidden somewhere in the budget to fund the bussing. UGH - we go through this BS every year at budget time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

What day does school start? What is your plan if you still don't have the bus passes?

 

[j_lehr]

I understand how you feel. My daughter is entering high school and the law in NJ is if you are within 2.5 miles for high school (2 miles for middle and elementary) you have to pay if you want bussing.

The problem is though, besides the fact that it is still a long walk, esp in the winter, there are no sidewalks on the busy road that she would have to walk on to get to the highschool. This same busy road constantly has accidents because drivers are stupid around here. The school district must realize that no one would actually let their kid walk across this road, therefore, we are all going to pay the fee.

Btw, our fee this year for 1 child was 375!!

Good Luck with your situation. My fiancee thought I should write and complain but I paid the fee because I wanted to make sure she had her bus pass on time.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Aren't you guys called "taxachusetts"?

I can't believe they have the gall to charge you extra for busing your kid!

That's crazy!

Isn't massachusetts also doing something now where they're denying you social security if you can't prove you have health insurance?

Maybe it's turning into "commiechusetts"?

Our schools have our issues, here, too. We're trying our best to stop the corruption and bring transparency and accountability to education issues.

'tain't easy...

 

[cccm]

It is crazy! We also have to pay for bus for elementary under 2 miles. It is your home address not daycare. Middle and High School you pay no matter what.

We live a little over 2 miles from school, daycare (DSister) is about 4 miles away, same school. So we are safe either way.

Now what kills me is that there are no options in our area of town. There are no sidewalks either on side or main streets that lead to school. If you are going to charge, then at least provide alternative methods such as being able to walk or ride bicycle. That is what I grew up doing.