Board Passes Fee-Based Busing Pilot
PSD will eliminate free School Choice busing beginning with the 2009-10 school year for all schools/programs other than a fee-based pilot for the Poudre High School IB program, due to budget constraints and to provide consistent services to all students. Enough families from the PHS IB program expressed interest in order for this fee-based pilot to be implemented.
The PSD Board of Education voted Jan. 13, 2009, to pilot a fee-based transportation program for students in the Poudre High School (PHS) International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
For the Board resolution and details, click here, then open the attachments.
Following are Details for the Fee-Based Pilot:
§ Minimum number of riders and route length: Buses for this special route will be established for the following minimum number of riders: 40 for high school, so that buses are at or near capacity. This implies enough students are interested to provide a special route. Routes will only be established if they can be covered in one hour or less (one way).
§ Cost: For the high school IB choice busing pilot for the 2009-10 school year, the total cost per student will be $400 (approximately $2.20 per day), which is based an average of all costs for the special route, for the school year. The first payment of $40 is due at the time of registration; the remainder is due in nine monthly installments of $40 each from August 1, 2009 through April 1, 2010.
§ Fee consistent for all riders: The fee is the same regardless of a student’s pick-up location or miles transported.
§ Cost waived for low income students: Students qualifying for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program will be exempt from paying fees.
§ Advanced registration is required by May 15, 2009.
§ Limited pick up and drop off points or locations will be provided: Routes will be point-to-point with a maximum of three pick up/drop off locations. For example: high school IB location pick-up/drop-off locations would include Fossil Ridge, Fort Collins, and Rocky Mountain high schools. Parents/students would be responsible for transportation to and from these locations.
§ This is a pilot program for the 2009-10 school year. PSD will review participation and evaluate the effectiveness of the program during fall 2009. PSD will then determine interest in future routes and whether the service will continue and/or be expanded to include other choice programs in future years.