Connecticut Senate Bill SB00704

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Permitting A School District To Reduce Its School Transportation Services When A Parent Or Student Drives To School.

Impact

This bill has significant implications for state laws regarding school transportation services. If passed, it would grant more discretion to local education authorities to manage transportation resources more efficiently. By enabling schools to adjust transportation services based on actual student usage, it may encourage cost-saving measures while still upholding the option for parents and students to resume transportation services with advance notice. This flexibility could significantly reduce the financial burden on schools and taxpayers alike.

Summary

SB00704 is a legislative proposal aimed at permitting local and regional boards of education to reduce school transportation services when parents or students choose to drive themselves to school. Introduced by Senator Somers, the bill seeks to amend section 10-220 of the general statutes. The primary objective is to alleviate school transportation costs by allowing districts to forgo providing bus seats for students who will not be using them due to opting out of the services.

Contention

However, the proposal may also attract contention regarding its implications for access to educational services. Opponents may argue that reducing transportation options could disproportionately affect students from families who may not have the means to arrange alternative transport, potentially leading to increased absenteeism. Furthermore, there could be concerns about whether this change might lead to inequities in access to education, especially in districts where public transportation is limited or unreliable.