District aims to save $650K by cutting courtesy bus service

TAVARES, Fla. — Courtesy transportation will be eliminated for Lake County Schools students who live within the 2-mile parent responsibility zone of their home school.

The change will take effect with the 2013-14 school year, and it will affect more than 3,000 students, more than half of which are elementary school age.

By state law, Florida provides transportation funding for general-education students who live 2 or more miles from school. The Lake County School Board unanimously made the decision at its June 24 meeting to discontinue the courtesy transportation service as it seeks cost-cutting measures to close a $16 million gap in next year’s proposed budget. The projected savings from the elimination of courtesy busing is approximately $650,000.

Several years ago, the Lake County School Board approved a measure to reduce courtesy transportation to high school students.

Officials said student eligibility related to school district transportation is currently being processed and will be available on Lake County Schools’ online address lookup system. The address lookup system provides school assignments, transportation eligibility and maps of school boundary zones.

In addition to the address lookup system, bus routes are also available on the district website. Bus routes are currently being formed for the upcoming school year and will be available on the website by Aug. 1.

According to Florida statutes, elementary age children who live within 2 miles of their assigned elementary school and who are subject to hazardous walking conditions are eligible to receive school transportation services.

Another story related to reducing bus service:

• Texas district to stop some summer school bus service