... About transportation fees at CUSD

On June 14, 2000, the CUSD board voted to impose a daily fee for all students who ride the school bus to or from public school. The fee amounts to more than $200 per child.

At a subsequent meeting, the board voted to NOT impose a parking fee for students who drive cars to the high school.

These decisions were, apparently, taken in reaction to the coastside community's refusal to approve the board-sponsored Measure C Parcel Tax, which was to raise money for "programs" at public schools. The board is punishing students and their families by charging them money. It is punishing coastside residents by adopting measures that serve to increase traffic at morning rush hour and lower air quality as well.

There is only one conclusion that can be drawn from this set of board decisions: Obviously, it is the policy of the CUSD board to discourage families from using mass transportation to get to and from public school and to discourage them from sending their children to school.

Instead of charging students to ride buses, the CUSD board needs to look again at its budget. Nearly 25% of the money CUSD receives from the state per child pays for administrators and staff who never set foot in students' classrooms. There are more than 25 people working in the district office!

If we eliminate just 5 administrators, we can save the district at least $400,000 per year.

It's time for the CUSD to take into account the environmental impact of its decisions. It's time for a change at CUSD.