SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. — Sioux City Journal reports that the South Sioux City school board voted to increase its fee for student bus service by 3% starting with the upcoming school year.

This is the first time in four years that the school board raised the fee. The district is looking for a way to balance its transportation budget. Nearly $570,000 was spent on busing last school year, but the district was only reimbursed for half of that by the state.

The fee hike is also being implemented as a way to discourage students who live within walking distance of school from taking the bus, according to Sioux City Journal. The district will look at early childhood-education transportation as well, which is more costly than other grade levels. It may ultimately consider cutting its busing program, Director of Business Operations Rick Feauto told the paper.

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