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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 187
BY REPRESENTATIVE PIERRE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in
collaboration with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the
Louisiana School Boards Association, and the Louisiana Association of Public
Charter Schools, to study and explore all options for providing free transportation to
students attending charter schools and to submit a written report of its findings and
recommendations to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee
on Education.
WHEREAS, though the number of charter schools in this state is increasing, many
students who wish to take advantage of these types of learning venues are being denied this
chance because of a lack of transportation; and
WHEREAS, in some cases, students are not able to attend due to parents' job
situations and having no means of transportation; and
WHEREAS, many students who want to attend charter schools are from families who
cannot afford the cost of transportation to these schools; and
WHEREAS, in some areas of the state, students are being provided free
transportation to charter schools; and
WHEREAS, state law, R.S. 17:158, requires public school boards to provide free
transportation to all students attending school in the parish who live more than one mile from
school; and
WHEREAS, charter schools in Louisiana are public schools and receive public funds
to operate; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty and responsibility of the state to provide a quality
education for all of its children and to take all steps necessary to ensure that every student
who wishes to attend a charter school is given ample opportunity to attend by developing ENROLLEDHCR NO. 187
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innovative transportation solutions that provide options for students wishing to attend such
schools.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration
with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the Louisiana School Boards
Association, and the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, to study and explore
all options for providing free transportation to students attending charter schools and to
submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on
Education and the Senate Committee on Education by not later than sixty days prior to the
convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting such study, the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education shall consider including the costs of providing such
transportation in the minimum foundation program formula proposed for the 2015-2016
school year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the presiding
officers of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the Louisiana School
Boards Association, and the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE