Riverside Local School District – Busing Policy Change

LFC Comments by Brian Massie, Riverside School District Taxpayer

We received communication from a Riverside taxpayer expressing concern that the Riverside School District stopped the busing of children to private schools.

Here are the communications between LFC and Mr. Gary Platko, CFO of the Riverside Local School District.

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Mr. Platko:

We have received conflicting information on the Riverside School District’s current policy on busing students living in the district to and from Lake Catholic High School.   

Can you please give us the School Board’s and/or the Administration’s current policy to clear up any misunderstanding?

Is this policy universal for all schools attended by all students living in the district but not attending the Riverside public schools?

Thank you,
Brian Massie
Lobbyists for Citizens

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[Email from Mr. Platko, CFO]

Thank you for your patience. Below are the answers to your questions. If you need any clarification or additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.

[1st Question]

Can you please give us the School Board’s and/or the Administration’s current policy to clear up any misunderstanding?

After considering each of the following factors listed below, the Board of Education of a city, exempted village, or local school district, or a community school governing authority providing transportation pursuant to section 3314.091 of the Revised Code, may determine that it is impractical to transport a pupil who is eligible for transportation to and from a school under section 3327.01 of the Revised Code:

(1) The time and distance required to provide the transportation;
(2) The number of pupils to be transported;
(3) The cost of providing transportation in terms of equipment, maintenance, personnel, and
      administration;
(4) Whether similar or equivalent service is provided to other pupils eligible for transportation;
(5) Whether and to what extent the additional service unavoidably disrupts current
      transportation schedules;
(6) Whether other reimbursable types of transportation are available.

[2nd question]

Is this policy universal for all schools attended by all students living in the district but not attending the Riverside public schools?

A resolution to declare transportation impractical for certain identified students is presented pursuant to the requirements of Ohio Revised Code chapter 3327 and the procedures set forth by the Ohio Department of Education. The resolution follows careful evaluation of all other available options prior to consideration of impracticality and offering payment in lieu of transportation. Therefore, it can vary based on the facts and circumstances of each school.

Thanks,

Gary A. Platko, CPA

Treasurer/CFO

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[LFC follow-up]

Thanks, but specifically what were the reasons.  Do you have a Board Resolution that gives the exact reason and not just Ohio Revised Code?

Brian Massie

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[Final reply from the CFO]

The board resolution does not specifically state the exact reason. I copied it below. I spoke to our transportation director and the reason is due to the dismissal time at Lake Catholic and the disruption it would cause to our current transportation schedules along the number of students that would utilize the busing.  [Emphasis added]

Resolution to declare transportation impractical for certain identified students is presented pursuant to the requirements of Ohio Revised Code chapter 3327 and the procedures set forth by the Ohio Department of Education. The resolution follows careful evaluation of all other available options prior to consideration of impracticality.

The Superintendent of Schools recommends that the board of education adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS the identified students have been determined to be residents of this school district, and eligible for transportation services; and

WHEREAS after careful evaluation of all available options, it has been determined that it is impractical to provide transportation for these students to their selected schools; and

WHEREAS the following factors as identified in Revised Code 3327.01 have been considered: (1) the number of pupils to be transported; and (2) the cost of providing transportation in terms of equipment, maintenance, personnel, and administration to:

Andrews-Osborne Academy, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Hershey Montessori School, Lake Catholic High School, Mentor Christian School, and St. Mary’s School–Chardon.

WHEREAS the option of offering payment in lieu of transportation is provided in Revised Code.  Therefore, Be It RESOLVED that the Riverside Local Board of Education hereby approves the declaration of impractical to transport for the identified students, and offering them payment in lieu of transportation.

Thanks,

Gary A. Platko, CPA

Treasurer/CFO
Riverside Local School District

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Categories: Education, Lake County - General, Riverside S.D.

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