Fee Schedule and Collection
Transportation fees charged by the district shall not exceed the statewide average nonsubsidized cost of providing such transportation to a student on a publicly owned or operated transit system, as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. (Education Code 39807.5)
The total amount received by the district from the state and parent/guardian fees shall not exceed the actual operating cost of home-to-school transportation during the fiscal year. If excess fees are collected due to errors in estimated costs, fees shall be reduced in succeeding years. (Education Code 39809.5)
The Governing Board shall certify to the County Superintendent of Schools that the district has levied fees in accordance with law and that, in the event that excess fees have been charged, the fees have been reduced and excess fee revenue eliminated. (Education Code 39809.5)
Bus passes shall be sold at the district office. No money shall be collected on school buses or at school sites.
Fees for Additional Services
In addition to charging fees for home-to-school transportation provided in accordance with Education Code 39800, the district shall charge fees for students traveling to and from their places of employment during the summer in connection with a summer employment program for youth. (Education Code 39837)
The district may also charge fees for:
1. Students traveling to full-time occupational classes provided by a Regional Occupational Program or Center (Education Code 39807.5)
2. Matriculated or enrolled adults traveling to and from school, or adults pursuing other educational purposes (Education Code 39801.5)
3. Community recreation as provided in Education Code 39835 (Education Code 10913)
(cf. 3541 - Transportation Routes and Services)
Exemption from Fees
Students residing within a school attendance area, but who are required by the district to attend another district school because of housing constraints, shall be exempt from transportation fees only if the child is transported from the regular school of attendance. Students who have been suspended or transferred because of administrative regulation 5144.1 violations are not eligible for bus transportation.
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
Eligibility for free transportation based on indigency shall be based on the income eligibility scales used for the free and reduced-price lunch program and/or proof of receipt of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
(cf. 3553 - Free and Reduced Price Meals)
At the beginning of the school year and whenever a new student is enrolled, parents/guardians shall receive information about free transportation eligibility standards, application procedures and appeal procedures.
(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)
All applications and records related to eligibility for free transportation shall be confidential and used only for purposes directly connected with the free transportation program.
(cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
Students receiving free transportation shall not be identified by the use of special bus passes, tickets, lines, seats or any other means. They shall in no way be treated differently from other students, nor shall their names be published, posted or announced in any manner or used for any purpose other than the transportation program.
Regulation NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: September 8, 2009 Costa Mesa, California