State officials say 3 districts not required to provide buses

Grand Forks, N.D. (AP) State officials say the school districts of Bismarck, Dickinson and Grand Forks are not required by law to provide busing for students because they are not consolidated.

Tom Decker is the state school finance director. He says Bismarck, Dickinson and Grand Forks are considered original districts and are allowed to charge for busing costs.

Not everyone agrees with the policy.

Colleen Welch wants to send her daughter, Maren, to Grand Forks Red River High school next year. But she works in Minnesota and says she and her husband leave for work too early to drive her daughter to school. She says city buses don't go directly there and it's too far to walk.

Welch says education should be available to all students and no just those who can get to school.

Perry Marto is the Grand Forks School District director of buildings and grounds. He says providing buses for all students would be costly. School board member Tim Lamb says he's heard of no complaints about the current policy.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-09-07 1637CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list