The Squeaky Wheel in Elmhurst is Attached to a School Bus

Elmhurst Unit District 205 parents have when it comes to the new $330 activity bus fee that went into effect this spring. The School Board listened, and on Monday that fee was reduced by 77 percent; some bus routes were eliminated to make that happen.

Officials had a feeling when they approved a $330 fee for students who ride early and late buses for music, athletics and other activities, that it would be too much for many families’ finances to bear. They were right; an outcry soon followed.

But the bus fee is necessary because the state of Illinois does not pay its bills, Assistant Superintendent Pat Masterton said.

The cost to operate the 21 early and late routes is about $208,000, and none of the cost is reimbursed by the state, she said last month. State reimbursement of regular bus costs also has eroded from 40 percent to 10 percent for 2011-12. This translates to an additional $50,000 loss of revenue to District 205.

To avoid a drop in participation in extracurricular activities and to try to be sensitive to parents’ financial struggles, officials came up with three alternative fee structures in addition to the original $330 fee, posted them online and asked parents which one they liked best. More than 1,000 people, a “very large response,” filled out the survey, Masterton said.

As one might have predicted, the most popular fee was the least expensive. Parents said they would be willing to pay $75 a year, even if it means fewer late buses will be operating and students might have a longer commute home.

The School Board rescinded the $330 fee Monday and voted unanimously to enact a $75 a year fee and eliminate one bus route each at Churchville and Sandburg, and one 4:30 p.m. and one 6:15 p.m. route at the high school. Students will be able to purchase per-use tickets at each school for $1.

“This is a more acceptable, reasonable approach,” board member Maria Hirsch said. “This is easier to swallow than a $330 fee. Still, I would like to see us track participation rates at the middle school for instrumental music and athletics.”

She said overall this is a “positive response to a difficult situation.”

The largest group responding to the survey were middle school parents. Complete survey results can be found here.

Fifteen families already have paid the $330 fee. They will be contacted and issued a refund, Masterton said.

Board member Karen Stuefen asked how long parents might have to pay the bus fee. Masterton said once money starts coming in from the state, “we can be self-supportive.”

But she is skeptical.

“This is a fee that should go away,” she said. “I hope we don’t have to have it for the long haul. (But) the state says it will give us things we don’t often receive. I’m realistic about what is actually coming our way. We’ve received almost none of our transportation money.”

For students who cannot afford the per-use fee and need to stay after school for academic reasons, the District 205 Foundation and other groups are looking at ways to help.

A new parent group also has formed as a result of the impact of budget issues and new fees, Hirsch said.

“They are trying to (provide) support for families that are really struggling,” she said. “They are working with the organizations that support our district—the Boosters, District 205 Foundation—and trying to come up with an overall strategy to help those families.”

Hirsch and board member Karen Stuefen are planning to attend the parent group's meeting Wednesday at York High School. They will report to the School Board on their progress in July.