School bus overhaul overdue

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 05, 2012

~~<p>If the average parent shelled out roughly $1,750 for the school year to transport their child to and from classes, they likely would expect limousine treatment. In fact, however, that is the approximate bill the state — and thus, the taxpayer — does pay for each rider of the public schools' bus system. And given the budget squeeze paring back the service in the past year, it's doubtful many parents feel happy with what they're getting these days.</p>
<p>The state Department of Education is being prescribed a bitter pill in the pursuit of a solution for its poorly managed school bus service, and the sensible consensus from leaders is that the state needs to swallow it. The good news is that officials seem ready to do what's necessary.</p>
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If the average parent shelled out roughly $1,750 for the school year to transport their child to and from classes, they likely would expect limousine treatment. In fact, however, that is the approximate bill the state — and thus, the taxpayer — does pay for each rider of the public schools' bus system. And given the budget squeeze paring back the service in the past year, it's doubtful many parents feel happy with what they're getting these days.

The state Department of Education is being prescribed a bitter pill in the pursuit of a solution for its poorly managed school bus service, and the sensible consensus from leaders is that the state needs to swallow it. The good news is that officials seem ready to do what's necessary. Login for more...