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Committee approves resolution on private-school transportation funding; members debate cost burden
Summary
The School Committee approved a resolution urging state and local attention to funding private-school transportation. Members voiced concern that shifting costs to private schools could be passed to parents and suggested state-level solutions.
The North Smithfield School Committee voted to approve a resolution on March 18 concerning funding for private-school transportation, after debating how the costs should be allocated.
Committee members discussed a total cost figure cited in the resolution of about $307,000 and expressed concern that requiring school districts to pay would likely shift cost to parents attending private schools. One member said the committee is sympathetic to fixing the funding gap but worried the expense could amount to “double taxation” if parents bear both property taxes and new transportation fees.
Another member said the district’s transportation director reviewed and agreed with the resolution language, and several members said the matter needs action at the state level to identify sustainable funding or different vehicle strategies, such as using smaller vehicles when ridership is low. One member noted apparent inefficiencies in routes that use full-size buses to pick up only a few students.
The committee moved and seconded the item and recorded a vote of two in favor and one opposed; the motion passed. A committee member who is legal counsel to a group engaged with the issue recused themself from the discussion.
Why it matters: The resolution asks state and local education authorities to address how transportation costs for private-school students are allocated. Committee members framed it as both a local budgeting issue and a state-policy problem because state rules and funding mechanisms determine responsibilities and reimbursement levels.
The committee did not specify legislative language or a statutory citation when passing the resolution; the vote recorded was 2–1 in favor with one member recusing themself from participation on the item.
