Orange Unified Schools Adopt Bus Fees

Orange Unified School District students will begin paying bus fees in October, despite a protest Monday night in which parents suggested tax increases, the use of district reserves and cuts in salaries to pay busing costs.

About 150 people attended the district’s school board meeting. After about two hours of testimony, the board voted unanimously to institute the fees. However, the board will receive a study on other options at an Aug. 19 meeting.

School district officials say the state has never guaranteed free busing, which costs the district $500,000 a year despite $1.1 million provided by the state. The estimated $250,000 raised by bus fees could be used to help balance a 1985-86 budget that featured cuts in library programs and high school recreational activities.

About 100 parents and children protested the fees last Friday by walking two miles along Santa Ana Canyon Road to Crescent Elementary School. They argued that some children, especially those from low-income families, may be forced to walk through dangerous areas without sidewalks, or even to drop out of school.

The district is required by law to charge less or provide free services for children in low-income families, said H.C. Tanner, assistant superintendent of business services. Under the district’s guidelines, children in a family of four with an income of less than $13,260 would be eligible for free transportation.

The annual fee for one child riding the bus round-trip during the school year is $110. The fee remains at $110 for a second child, dropping to $55 for a third and $27.50 for a fourth. Any additional children are not charged.

“There are most certainly those who cannot afford to pay for this,” said Carol Geronsin, whose two children attend Noll Canyon School. “I can’t imagine a family making $14,000 a year being able to pay. They’re having enough trouble just getting food on the table every month.”

Supt. Kenneth Brummel said the district reserve, which stands at about $1.4 million, will be depleted once current negotiations with current employees are resolved.

“We continually take from the reserve and walk a precarious pattern from year to year,” he said.

Board members said they questioned whether residents would vote for a tax hike and said any effort to provide one would have to come from residents themselves.