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<br />92 <br /> <br />TUESDAY <br /> <br />MAY 31, 1977 <br /> <br />(1) Parents who can afford transportation and whose children use <br />the busses should pay instead of spreading the costs to every- <br />one in the community; <br />(2) Parents who pay for transportation are paying at a subsidized <br />rate, l2~~ a ride. The actual cost of each ride, excluding <br />capital costs, is approximately 27~ ($l89,388 operating costs <br />7 3940 rides x 180 days); <br />(3) Free bussing for all will cause an increased tax burden. <br /> <br />Arguments for free bussing for all pupils are as follows: <br /> <br />(1) Current estimates are that 1053 pupils ride free and 805 <br />pupils pay. 57% of pupils ride free, 43% of pupils pay. <br />It is argued that this is discriminatory. <br />(2) The current system of providing free bus service for those <br />on the free lunch program was decided in November, 1972 <br />when Council, under Mayor Francis West, determined that it <br />was a compromise aimed at providing service required by <br />law at the lowest cost possible. It can be argued that an <br />additional cost of $l4,578 to $19,522 (less any savings by <br />the School Administration) is not of sufficient size to <br />burden the tax payers of Martinsville. <br />(3) The City Attorney believes that it is doubtful that the <br />current policy will hold up in court if parents who pay <br />to transport their children to school appeal for a court <br />ruling. <br />(4) Mr. Bynum states that almost all jurisdictions in the state <br />are providing free bussing for all pupils. <br />(5) It is argued that pupil transportation is an integral part <br />of the school system and, as such, should be free for all. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />In my opinion, Council should institute a policy of free bussing <br />for all school children, and that management of the school bus system <br />should be conveyed to the School Board. <br /> <br />Councilman West then introduced his motion, seconded by Councilman Greene, and <br /> <br />unanimously carried, that--beginning with the next school year--free bussing of the <br /> <br />City's public school students be provided, with necessary guidelines to be established <br /> <br />by the appropriate administrative authority. A second motion, offered by Councilman <br /> <br />Greene and seconded by Councilman West, viz., that the pupil bus operation be <br /> <br />transfered to the City School System, effective July 1, 1977, was withdrawn at the <br />