SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Hands-On Driver Training Is Dropped
Pressed by state budget cuts, the Capistrano Unified School District voted this week to discontinue driver-training courses, but will keep teaching traffic and safety rules in the classroom.
The move came after Gov. George Deukmejian cut state money for driver-training courses, forcing local officials to draw on their own resources if they want to keep the programs going. Asst.Supt. Bill Eller said the fund cuts forced a choice between driver training and academic programs.
Providing behind-the-wheel courses to about 1,000 high school students would cost about $106,000 this year, district officials said. Under the district’s current contract with Valley Driving Systems Inc., classroom instruction will cost about $15,000.
Officials expect to raise the $10 fee for the course to $15 to cover costs.
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