MUNCIE – Money for busing is still running out for Muncie Community Schools, and last month’s Indiana Supreme Court ruling could affect whether the district continues to offer transportation for students.
The court ruled that public schools are not constitutionally required to bus students. The ruling further backs up state law, which allows districts to discontinue busing if they provide three years notice to the public or are granted a waiver from the Indiana Department of Education. It also allows schools to charge additional fees for busing.
Muncie was the first district to apply for a waiver to discontinue busing in 2013, but was denied. To keep its buses running, the district used its rainy day fund, which was a little more than $2 million, for the 2014-15 academic year. It also cut five buses and 17 routes, which saved about $304,000.
Board Secretary Debbie Feick said the fund is running out, but the board has not discussed busing yet and another waiver has not been filed, because the board is waiting until a new superintendent is chosen this spring.
“My personal opinion is that we need to transport our students,” current Superintendent Tim Heller said in an email. “I personally feel that we have a responsibility to our families to assist them in pursuing their formal education.”
The question of busing ended up being a polarizing issue when MCS first brought it up. Before the district filed the first waiver it had tried to have a referendum for more transportation money. Property tax caps had hurt the school funds busing had relied upon. The referendum was voted down.