SIMI VALLEY : Schools to Consider Transportation Plan

A committee of Royal and Simi Valley high school officials and parents will study ways of getting students to extracurricular activities, since bus fees cannot be charged, officials said.

Simi Valley school board members decided Tuesday to form the committee, which will report to the board Dec. 17.

Last month, the board rescinded an $85 bus fee paid by athletes, band members and other students for transportation to games and activities away from school. An attorney advised the Simi Valley Unified School District that such fees were ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in 1980.

About $50,000 in bus fees that have been paid this school year are being refunded. Parents have the option of donating the refund to the school district, but few have done so.

Board members said they would continue to offer extracurricular bus service for the remainder of the school year, but alternative transportation may be needed next year.

Royal High School Principal Dave Jackson suggested that the district consider purchasing vans. However, football and track team members might still need bus transportation because of the amount of equipment they need, he said.

“We should look at the possibility of purchasing vans. It would be an initial expense, but in the long run, it might be a good idea,” said board President Judy Barry.