Parents press Lakota board for route analyses and more notice after impracticality letters

At least a dozen parents told the Lakota Local Board of Education they received late or inconsistent determinations that busing to certain nonpublic schools was "impractical," urged the board not to approve the resolution tonight and asked staff to provide the underlying route analyses.

"The notice contained a severe data error," said Anthony Kolhanick, who said he would file a formal transportation concern with the Department of Education and Workforce on Sept. 3. Dan Cava told the board the determination letters were dated July 14 but that families received them much later, and that state guidance expects individualized decisions and documentation.

Several parents said they were not told how the district evaluated factors such as time, distance, cost and reasonable alternatives. "The notes did not explain how any of these alternatives were deemed unreasonable," Alexandria Sorrentino said, asking the board to reconsider or delay the decision.

Administrators responded that each child's transportation was evaluated and that the district applied six statutory criteria; they also said the law's 30‑day notice period begins on the date the district makes the determination, not when a family receives notice. Staff also said some families received different, timing‑run letters when a local timing run was needed.

Parents asked for clearer communication, the amount of any "payment in lieu" offered to families, and steps the district took to explore alternatives such as centralized pick‑ups, collaboration with neighboring districts or private providers. Board members suggested staff provide additional documentation and consider earlier notification windows in future cycles.