Twain Harte Schools Oppose Bus Cut

The Twain Harte-Long Barn Union School District opposes the mid-year funding elimination for Home-to-School Transportation and Special Education Transportation.  The elimination is part of the State Budget because state revenues are falling short of expectations.  For the Twain Harte-Long Barn Union School District, the mid-year elimination costs us $87,280.53 (or about $252 per student.)

The Twain Harte-Long Barn Union School Board President Tim Hoffman-Brady said: “This $87,280 loss targets parents and students in rural school districts who need transportation.  Students in suburban and urban school districts with taxpayer’s subsidized public transportation will not have the same per student losses.  I asked Assembly Member Kristen Olsen, State Senator Tom Berryhill, and Governor Brown to repeal this targeted cut.”

Superintendent Dr. John Keiter said: “We have 45.6% of our students eligible for free and reduced priced meals.   This transportation elimination will fall the hardest on low-income families and their children.  Unfortunately, the Twain Harte-Long Barn Union School District could not start adjusting our budget to prepare for this possible cut because of State Budget language that restricted our flexibility.  Now that the cut is a reality, we will have to reflect it in our budget.”

A letter was sent to Assembly Member Kristen Olsen, State Senator Tom Berryhill, and Governor Brown urging that if mid-year cuts had to be made, then they should be fair for all students in California and not target just some students and school districts.  Our Assembly member, Senator, and Governor did not heed our plea.  Instead the cut was implemented.