While considering the cost of transporting students, some of the creative ideas include encouraging students to walk to school instead of taking the bus—some are even contemplating moving back the boundaries for bus-riding eligibility, developing a "Walking School Bus" program where parents coordinate neighborhood routes, and bringing in local police officers to discuss walking dangers and benefits with classes.
Even with these creative ideas floating about, for schools across the nation, dissolving a 40-year trend of student transportation is not an easy one—for public and private schools alike. Parents have fears about student safety, and since school districts have expanded over the years, walking to class is a far further journey than for past generations. The percentage of working mothers has also doubled, making yet another concern for parents who can't be there for their kids after school or to assure their safe arrival in the morning.
However, for schools the harsh reality is this—the cost of putting a school bus on the street is approximately equal to keeping one teacher on staff.
One district estimated that by extending the distance that middle and high school students walk by half a mile they could save $975,000 a year.
For private schools offering bus service, the option to encourage walkers may not be available to you. However, carpooling is always one solution that can take pressure off your budget's bottom line. And, if your school has
