DeKalb School District 428 Evaluates Bus Services for St. Mary School

DeKalb School District 428 is reassessing its bus service arrangement for students attending St. Mary Catholic School, a partnership that has been in place for years. While district officials have indicated a willingness to consider changes, no definitive decision has been reached yet. Currently, the district accommodates between 50 and 60 additional students on two bus routes, exceeding its state-mandated obligations.

Board President Chris Boyes expressed reservations about expanding bus services beyond legal requirements. Boyes, who is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, emphasized his fiduciary duty to the district and its students. “School code is very clear on what is our legal requirement,” he stated. “I do believe that when you choose to send your children to a nonpublic school, you do choose to sacrifice some of those public school perks that you get.”

Financial implications of the bus service remain unclear, but district officials noted that funding comes from a mix of local property taxes and state mileage reimbursements. During a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez reported that the district anticipates a reduction in transportation funding from the state.

Garcia-Sanchez explained, “What we do know is that the amount of funding that we normally get from the state to cover the difference between local tax dollars and the full bill of transportation is going to be cut. We’re facing a 29% loss in general transportation funding and a 39% loss for transportation for our students with disabilities.”

The discussion has sparked varying perspectives among board members. Kristin Bailey, who has a child enrolled at St. Mary, acknowledged differing interpretations of the arrangement. “It doesn’t sound like they have the same understanding of them,” Bailey remarked, referring to the ongoing discussions.

In contrast, board member Nick Atwood raised concerns about the implications of the arrangement for public funding. “We’re essentially subsidizing private education with public funds if we continue to offer that route,” Atwood asserted. He suggested that the board has a responsibility to either terminate the service or seek alternatives that would not incur additional costs for the district.

During the meeting, a proposal emerged to consider implementing a fee structure to help sustain the additional bus routes. This potential solution reflects an ongoing commitment to balancing educational support with financial responsibility.

The school board plans to revisit this topic in future discussions as they seek to address the complexities of providing transportation to students in the district. The outcome may have lasting implications for both public and private education in the area.