Only two weeks after voters rejected an excess levy request, the first of several anticipated budget cuts for Albert Lea schools is already on the table: Busing.

Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Only two weeks after voters rejected an excess levy request, the first of several anticipated budget cuts for Albert Lea schools is already on the table: Busing.

Extending busing limits to two miles for all grade levels could save the district more than $100,000 per year, said Bruce Olson, director of facilities and transportation. State law mandates the two-mile limit, but the district has always followed a tighter policy, especially for younger students. Currently the district policy provides busing for elementary students who live beyond one mile of their assigned school, 1.5 miles for junior high students, and two miles for high school students.

&uot;We’ve always prided ourselves by going above and beyond what the state requires,&uot; Olson told the school board during Monday’s regular meeting. &uot;But the school board has asked each department and administrator to identify some possible cuts, and busing is one area where we could save some significant dollars.&uot;

Adopting a two-mile busing limit would affect nearly 500 students in the district, including 408 elementary kids, if the policy change occurred this year, Olson said. But parents would still have the option of individually contracting with the bus company for their child’s ride at a cost of $20 or $25 per month.

Olson stressed to the board they should give parents adequate notice if the policy change would affect this year’s busing arrangements.

&uot;If the board is going to do this, I think the parents need time to get contracts arranged with the bus company, arrange car pools and other modes of transportation,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s going to be difficult for some parents to figure that out.&uot;

If the busing limits change in January, the district could save $50,000 against the current budget, Olson said, but no decision has been made regarding the effective date of the change. Albert Lea Bus Company, the district’s transportation provider, will be updated as discussions continue, he added.

Olson presented the policy change for a first reading. The board could adopt the measure at its next meeting Dec. 3.

&uot;This will be one of many difficult decisions ahead,&uot; said board chairwoman Carol Haun. &uot;We won’t be making any decisions lightly or without first looking closely at impacts to our students and their families.&uot;