DES MOINES – A bill working through the Iowa Legislature could lengthen bus rides for public school students.
Senate File 2137 authorizes local school districts to extend one-way ride times for elementary and high school students beyond the limitations currently in statute under specific circumstances.
Currently, Iowa law ( 281 IAC 43.1(3) ) restricts one-way ride times to 60 minutes for elementary students and 75 minutes for high school students. The restrictions result in some districts needing to run additional routes.
The elimination of a single bus route may result in savings related to staff, equipment, and fuel. The average cost per route mile in FY 2017 was $3.67. The average cost for a full-time nonadministrative transportation employee in FY 2017 was $33,200 for salary and benefits. The average cost of a school bus is approximately $100,000.
There is potential for significant cost savings for local school districts that will be able to structure bus routes more efficiently as a result of SF 2137. It is unknown how many districts will be able to do so or to what extent.
One example of potential cost savings is Greene County Community School District. The district estimates that the Bill would allow the elimination of two bus routes for a savings of $100,000 annually.
Just double the cost – after all Iowa’s educational system now recieves 45% of all taxes collected in the state – add the rest of the public servants and make it 70%. And you wonder why everyting is high priced ? Public servant unions control Iowa’s legislature and your tax dollar.
Here’s a thought, let your kids walk to school, or get off your butt and take them yourself.