LSTA Charges Families Nearly $400 Per Child While Courtesy Busing for Public School Students Is Covered

Lakewood parents of yeshiva and other nonpublic school students are being charged nearly $400 per child for courtesy busing, while courtesy transportation for public school students is paid for through taxpayer funds by the Township Committee.

In 2002 about 10,000  yeshiva students paid the fee generating $2.5 million  for LSTA while the township paid $1.2 million for the courtesy busing of public school students.

No one disputes that the Township is not required to fund courtesy busing. However, once it chooses to cover those costs for non-mandated public school students, many parents question why the same benefit is not extended to nonpublic school students, the overwhelming majority of whom attend local yeshivos.

Adding to the frustration is the role of the LSTA. Under New Jersey law, students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch generally cannot be denied transportation because their families cannot afford transportation fees. Yet parents say the LSTA has not clearly informed families of any transportation rights or options available to those who cannot afford the fees.

From NJ Dept. of education Website:

Q. Is it a district's responsibility to provide transportation for students who live less than remote from school when hazardous road conditions exist?

A. Boards of education are not required by law to provide busing for students who live less than remote from school even for safety reasons. However, boards are permitted, at their own discretion and expense, to provide transportation for students who reside less than remote from school and may charge the student's parents or legal guardians for this service. Students who are unable to pay because of financial hardship shall not be excluded from receiving services described under this section. The criteria used to determine financial hardship shall be the same as the Statewide income eligibility standards established for free and reduced-price meals under the State school lunch program

Officials have argued that certain state transportation requirements apply to school districts but not necessarily to an entity such as the LSTA. If that is the case, many parents are asking why yeshiva students should lose protections that would otherwise exist if transportation were administered directly by the district.

The issue became even more confusing when the LSTA recently denied transportation for some children turning five after October, citing school district policy. The argument is officials cannot selectively apply district rules when convenient while claiming exemption from other district transportation requirements.

Whether or not the law ultimately supports the LSTA's position, parents deserve a clear explanation. Why are public school courtesy transportation costs covered while nonpublic school families are charged hundreds of dollars per child? And why has there been so little public discussion about transportation rights for low-income families?

Lakewood families are still waiting for answers.