Amends the composition of school bus districts within the state to provide transportation to students in grades kindergarten through 12.
The legislation's implications on state laws primarily involve changes to the transportation framework governing how students receive transportation beyond city and town limits. The bill introduces more regionalized districts which will hopefully streamline the transportation process for students in both public and approved non-public schools. Additionally, it guarantees that students currently receiving transportation will maintain their service under the previous regional structure until 2029, allowing for a gradual transition to the new system without disrupting existing services.
S0972 is an education-related bill aimed at amending the composition of school bus districts in Rhode Island. The bill proposes to increase the number of school bus districts from five to nine in order to improve efficiency, cost savings, and reduce the time students spend commuting on school buses. The new districts will serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade, addressing public safety, health, and welfare concerns by facilitating more organized transportation of students to various educational institutions, including vocational and special education programs.
Notably, the bill also addresses funding mechanisms for transportation-related costs. It establishes a baseline for categorical aid for transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools, ensuring that funding will not be lower than the amounts allocated in the previous two fiscal years. Furthermore, it stipulates that any unused funds from transportation costs can be redirected to create a subsidy for vulnerable student populations such as those experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with high special needs. This provision aims to enhance equity in student transportation services but may lead to discussions regarding budget allocations and priorities within the education sector.