Getting to school is a factor in life that many people don’t think about because most kids have cars or parents who can take them, but some kids have to take the school bus. This is supposed to be a resource for those who need transportation to school, but it can be very costly for people, especially when the family doesn’t have much money to spare. In some places, transportation is free to students, but in our school district, it is costly and can have more cons than pros. Many others still need to pay for it even though the costs go from $115-$460 depending on how much one rides the bus. Every year, around 550 students ride the bus to school and barely any of them get the financial aid they need. But they still need to get to school somehow, so their guardians have to pay for it, which can hurt the family income.
Dr. Janelle Brouwer has been the MISD superintendent for six years, and she sees and deals with the buses and situations concerning money within the school. The cost of buses is so high within our district compared to others, but why? Brouwer said, “At MISD, we also offer transportation for students who are within the two or three-mile distance, but that is what is fee-based because this is not otherwise funded or considered an appropriate public expense for the use of school funds. The fees for those who select busing but are within the two or three-mile distance help to cover the cost of the driver, fuel, and related transportation expenses. (See Iowa Code Chapter 281-43.1(3) and Chapter 285.1).” So the cost is very dependent on where the students live. When they live far away, they get more funds because of it, but the kids who live in a close vicinity might also need help affording the bus.
There are some kids who get their transportation for less money, but it is a very difficult process to sign up for and not all guardians have the time to do so or they look to be in a good financial state when they really are not. Some of these families truly need help, but no one can see what is going on in their life. Kids shouldn’t have to walk to school in the cold temperatures or the pouring rain just because the school bus is too expensive. Brouwer said, “Transportation is free for those who are eligible as noted above based on the distance to school. The fee is required only for those not otherwise eligible, and we do offer reduced or free rates for those students based on those eligible for free or reduced lunch.” Not everyone can afford to throw money into transportation just because they can spend money on food. And the kids who live two miles away from school have to walk it because that’s all they can do. So in the winter when some kids are still asleep in their bed, there are others that are wrapping up as much as they can, so they can start their walk to school and can make it on time.
It is understandable that the school can’t just give free rides to everyone. There are other things that the school needs to spend money on, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look into cheaper options or other ways to get kids to school. Brouwer said, “Most districts in the state do not allow or offer school transportation for students who live within the 2 or 3 mile distance from an attendance center. This is unique at MISD due to our smaller geographic area but is the reason why we also then charge a busing fee.” Children should be able to go to school without their parents having to worry about the costs of school buses. It’s understandable what the school does, but something needs to happen so that it is easier for the families who need the most help.
