READING – The School Committee recently increased the annual fee charged to families participating in the district's optional bus program and implemented tuition increases unrelated to the district's driver education program.
School Finance Director Derek Pinto, who advocated for changes to the fee structure for both programs at a recent School Committee meeting held at the RMHS library, said a 4 to 6 percent fee adjustment would be necessary to keep both programs self-sustaining. argued that it was necessary. The last time Reading increased bus fares was in 2016.
Next year, parents who transport one child to and from each school by bus will see their annual fee increase by $25 to $475. Costs for a family with two children going to school will increase by $50 to $850, and a similar $50 increase will mean a parent who takes three children to school by bus will see an annual bill of $1,200. becomes a dollar.
Students who live more than two miles from their respective educational facilities are required to be bused to school. To offset the costs of providing mandatory service, the district allows people who live nearby to use empty seats on buses for a fee.
“State regulations require school districts to transport students who live more than three miles from the school they attend. Reading students attending Killam Elementary School, Coolidge and Parker Middle School, and RMHS. will have the option to purchase transportation for a fee, subject to availability,” Pinto explained.
About 119 families in Reading will pay for bus service next year, but another 95 students in the district will not receive free transportation service because they live at least two miles from a local school. are eligible to receive.
Pinto first warned the School Committee in February about upcoming adjustments to school bus fares after the district signed a new three-year transportation services contract with North Suburban Transportation earlier this winter. did. According to the finance director, next year's basic contract costs will increase by about 13%.
“Do you expect to have to follow a contractual escalator pattern?” [and impose additional fee increases in 2026 and 2027]? ” School Committee Chairman Thomas Wise asked during a recent discussion.
“The short answer is yes,” Pinto said. “Next year we will re-evaluate that and [another increase] That's guaranteed, but right now, that revenue doesn't even come close to covering the costs of the operating budget. ”
driver education
On the advice of Pinto and District Education Director Chris Nelson, the School Committee last week increased tuition for the district's driver education program by $35 to $710.
Even with the increase, Nelson said, Redding's tuition remains significantly lower than tuition at private schools in the area. According to a survey conducted by school officials, these competitors' fees currently range from $850 to $1,125.
“We haven't had a raise since 2012 and it's relatively low compared to some private institutions,” Nelson said of his proposal to raise the district's tuition by about 5%.
“that [extra revenue] This ensures the sustainability of the program and allows us to provide maintenance for our vehicles. Our vehicle is now 10 years old and has over 110,000 miles on it,” the regional education director added.
In recent years, Reading has seen a dramatic increase in student enrollment in its optional driving program, which offers 30 hours of classroom instruction and 18 hours of driving and observation lessons.
In light of these changes, school officials plan to use some of the additional revenue from the tuition hike to hire a second teacher. Nelson also hopes to secure a second car soon, and this year's capital budget includes a $45,000 line item for the new vehicle, according to Finance Committee member Jeffrey Corum. It's planned.