Glencoe families whose children use the school buses will face a significant fee increase next year as District 35 enters into a far more expensive contract with its bus provider.
At their April 13 meeting, the District 35 board unanimously approved a new fee structure set to go into effect for the 2023-24 school year.
With members formally presented two options for fee increases, the board approved a spike in the two way service for all students from the current $560 to $725 and $300 to $400 for one way service.
The other option had the fee increasing to $900 for two-way and $550 for one way. However, board members were uncomfortable with that steep of a rise.
“I think a $900 fee is untenable and also would put as the highest fees in comparison to any of the (New Trier) sender schools,” Board President Kelly Glauberman said.
This option will cost District 35 an additional $38,000 as the district subsidizes about half of the busing costs in a system where 351 students ride the bus this year.
“Option 2 shares the pain and hopefully does not have a marked reduction in folks taking the bus,” Board Member Dev Mukherjee said.
The higher bus fees are tied into the new year contract with Alltown Bus Service, Inc., the school district’s longtime provider, which the board approved in separate action.
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The new pact contains a 31.5% increase for 2023-24 and a 7.5% increase for 2024-25 and the board initially reviewed the contract at their March meeting. It is to set to cost the school district an additional $147,000 next year.
District 35 officials did not rule out additional fee changes and spoke of the need to detail the overall busing policies, particularly the subsidies.
“Most parents have no concept the amount the district is subsidizing. We do need to stress that,” Superintendent Catherine Wang said.
Wang later added there are scholarship funds available for families that might find the additional busing fees financially burdensome.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.