LRB-2471/1
PG:jld&wlj:jf
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
June 14, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Wasserman, Albers, Ballweg,
Jeskewitz, Townsend, Cullen, Grigsby, Hixson and Pope-Roberts,
cosponsored by Senators Lassa, Roessler and Taylor. Referred to Committee
on Education Reform.
AB398,1,2
1An Act to renumber and amend 121.55 (3); and
to create 121.55 (3) (b) of the
2statutes;
relating to: transportation of pupils to private schools.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, a school board is required to transport pupils to private
school under certain conditions. If the estimated cost of transporting a pupil to a
private school is more than 1.5 times the school district's average cost per pupil for
bus transportation, the school board may fulfill its obligation to transport the pupil
by contracting with the pupil's parent or guardian. The contract must provide for an
annual payment for each pupil of at least $5 times the number of miles between the
pupil's residence and the private school, or the school district's average cost per pupil
for bus transportation, whichever is greater.
This bill provides that, if two or more pupils reside in the same household and
attend the same private school, the contract may, at the discretion of the school
board, provide for a total annual payment of the amount described above for all of
the pupils instead of for each of the pupils.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB398, s. 1
1Section
1. 121.55 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 121.55 (3) (a) and amended
2to read:
AB398,2,143
121.55
(3) (a) If the estimated cost of transporting a pupil under s. 121.54 (2)
4(b) 1. is more than 1.5 times the school district's average cost per pupil for bus
5transportation in the previous year, exclusive of transportation for kindergarten
6pupils during the noon hour and for pupils with disabilities, the school board may
7fulfill its obligation to transport a pupil under s. 121.54 (2) (b) 1. by offering to
8contract with the parent or guardian of the pupil.
The Except as provided in pars.
9(b) and (c), the contract shall provide for an annual payment for each pupil of not less
10than $5 times the distance in miles between the pupil's residence and the private
11school he or she attends, or the school district's average cost per pupil for bus
12transportation in the previous year exclusive of transportation for kindergarten
13pupils during the noon hour and for pupils with disabilities, whichever is greater
, but
14the.
AB398,2,19
15(c) The payment
under this subsection shall not exceed the actual cost nor may
16the aids paid under s. 121.58 (2) (a) for the pupil exceed the cost thereof. A school
17board which intends to offer a contract under this subsection shall notify the parent
18or guardian of the private school pupil of its intention at least 30 days before the
19commencement of the school term of the public school district.
AB398, s. 2
20Section
2. 121.55 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB398,3,221
121.55
(3) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), if 2 or more pupils reside in the
22same household and attend the same private school, the contract under par. (a) may,
23at the discretion of the school board, provide for a total annual payment for all such
24pupils of not less than $5 times the distance in miles between the pupils' residence
25and the private school they attend, or the school district's average cost per pupil for
1bus transportation in the previous year exclusive of transportation for kindergarten
2pupils during the noon hour and for pupils with disabilities, whichever is greater.
AB398,3,54
(1) This act first applies to contracts entered into under section 121.55 (3) of the
5statutes, as affected by this act, on the effective date of this subsection.
