Dayton board approves temporary bus-pass rules requiring visible student IDs, 4-3

The Dayton City School District Board of Education on Aug. 19 approved a resolution that conditions district-issued RTA bus passes on students wearing a visible Dayton student ID and signing the RTA code of conduct, and directs that district-issued passes be picked up at the service center. The motion passed 4-3.

The resolution, introduced by Superintendent Doctor Lawrence, says students receiving a district-provided RTA bus pass must display a visible student ID while using the pass and that students and parents must sign the RTA's code of conduct. The district also said it will assign safety and security staff to downtown hubs, at an expected cost of about $30,000, and that non-DPS users will pick up passes at the service center rather than at school sites.

Board members split sharply over whether the rules can be enforced and whether they unfairly single out Dayton students. "We're also dispatching our safety and security back to the hub, at the cost of about $30,000 to protect and secure our students," Doctor Lawrence said as he described operational and safety steps tied to the resolution.

Board member Mister Smith spoke at length against the measure's timing and scope, arguing the policy lacks the infrastructure other districts use to link IDs and transit passes. "There is nothing in this resolution that does anything to make one child on that bus any safer," Mister Smith said, adding that the district lacks scanners, staffing and an integrated pass system that other urban districts use.

Board member Miss Reiner pressed why the resolution was not routed through the policy committee. Doctor Moore, who helped draft the timeline for the item, said district staff pursued an expedited path because officials wanted to get passes to students quickly in response to a local court order that temporarily halted implementation of House Bill 96. "Given the speed and the nature in which we wanted to provide this immediate support…we bypassed policy committee," Doctor Moore said.

Mister Walker asked about the implications for charter schools and whether charter students would be expected to meet the same requirements to receive a district-issued pass; district staff said charters would need to coordinate independently if they want a pass tied to DPS procedures. Chief operations staff said student ID badges were being processed and should be completed by the end of the following week, and that students who are to receive passes can be prioritized for badge distribution.

The board debated whether drivers or RTA would enforce behavior rules. Doctor Jones told trustees the district's plan is to require a signed RTA conduct agreement and that the district would revoke a district-issued pass for students who violate the code. "By signing, you're suggesting that you want to follow the directives that they have in their RTA code of conduct. When you don't do that, then we'll revoke your pass," Doctor Jones said.

The motion passed on a 4-3 vote: President Goodwin — yes; Doctor Bailey — yes; Miss Reinhardt — yes; Miss Wake — yes; Mister Lacey — no; Mister Smith — no; Mister Walker — no.

The board and administration noted the district has a limited stock of passes purchased before the current litigation. Business staff said the district holds a little more than 3,500 passes—enough for roughly two months under current distribution plans—and the district is in active litigation on the underlying law; oral arguments are scheduled for Aug. 28. District leaders said they will continue to coordinate with community groups offering pass support and will provide a follow-up to the board as the litigation and distribution proceed.

The measure does not change RTA's authority to remove riders for safety or conduct violations, and district legal counsel prepared the resolution language.

The board did not specify a sunset date for the resolution; administrators said steps could be revised as the legal situation and community partnerships evolve.