Calif. district extends busing through 2nd semester

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — School bus service to geographically remote areas will continue through the end of the school year at Lake Elsinore Unified School District.

The district’s governing board approved the service extension in a recent meeting. Bus passes for the second semester cost $175 for one student, which is the same price as for the first semester.

In February, the district decided to cut home-to-school transportation, with the exception of special-education busing, due to state budget cuts. But in July, the board approved temporary bus service — for the first semester of the 2012-13 school year — for nearly 2,200 students who live in geographically remote areas.

Officials said that geographically remote areas are defined as those with “extraordinary topography, traffic conditions and/or long distances that preclude walking or bicycling to school.”

Lake Elsinore Unified School District covers more than 144 square miles, serving nearly 22,000 students from the cities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and Wildomar and several unincorporated Riverside County communities.

George Landon, assistant superintendent for fiscal support services, told The Press-Enterprise that the district has had a small increase in enrollment and an increase in student attendance, which should bring in enough money to cover the busing costs for the second semester. Bus pass fees cover some of the costs, and the district still receives some state funding for transportation.