Requesting The Department Of Education To Expand Transportation Services In The Pearl City School District.
If adopted, the bill would require immediate action from the Department of Education to provide bus service to students on the waitlist and identify schools in the district without regular transportation. Another focus is on enhancing outreach between the department, schools, and parents to better understand transportation needs. It would encourage the utilization of smaller buses and lower ridership requirements to maximize student transportation options, thereby addressing the existing shortages more effectively and potentially improving access for all students.
House Resolution 90 requests the Department of Education in Hawaii to expand transportation services for students within the Pearl City School District. The bill highlights a significant transportation shortage primarily caused by a lack of bus drivers, which has been an ongoing issue since at least 1991. The situation was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in some students being placed on a waitlist for bus services. The resolution notes that reliable transportation is critical to academic success, and currently, some students lack access to these services. Additionally, many students are required to pay for transport, which can be a burden, particularly if they live less than one mile from the school and are waitlisted despite there being available seats on buses.
There are various implications tied to the implementation of HR90. Proponents argue that expanding transportation services is essential for ensuring that every student has safe access to their education. However, challenges may arise regarding funding and logistics in establishing and maintaining improved bus services, especially in regards to recruitment and retention of qualified bus drivers. Furthermore, there may be disagreements on best approaches to manage and optimize resources, ignite discussions about local government roles versus state authority over educational transportation services, and address how school demographics impact transportation demands.