Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
The Clintonville School Board voted this week to continue busing parochial school students in 3-year-old kindergarten at least until the end of the school year.
The administration recommended ending the service, effective Nov. 1, to save money. The district is not required to provide the service.
“We advertised transportation to our 3K parents in good faith, trusting that proper procedure had been followed to allow for our 3K students on the bus,” said Jennifer Wood, principal of St. Rose and St. Mary. “We believe that both St. Rose/St. Mary’s and the Clintonville Board of Education share responsibility for current practice.
“While the district is certainly not obligated by law to continue our 3K busing, we hope you will do so for the remainder of this school year. Terminating it prior to the end of the school year will only hurt our students who are counting on us for this service.”
Board members Judith Magee and Jim Schultz said they wanted more information regarding the cost of the bus service before they could make a decision.
“Without having specific dollar numbers we should not pull the trigger at the end of the month,” Schultz said.
Board member Jim Dins said he didn’t think the district should provide transportation for 3K.
“My main concern is with safety,” board member Pat Schley said. “It is not the cost but the safety. … I want the students to be safe.”
The board ultimately tabled the matter for further study and to continue the busing through this school year. Board members said they would continue discussions and have a decision next spring regarding the 2015-16 school year.