Summer School Transportation Letter

March 26, 2004 Letter to District Administrators

Dear District Administrator:

Our department has received numerous requests regarding summer school transportation so we thought it important to clarify current state law governing transportation and fees. We also recommend that school boards have a summer school transportation policy. Please provide this information to your summer school director and transportation director.

School boards may, but are not required to, provide summer school transportation [s. 121.54 (4)]. If a district elects to transport students, the district may collect summer school transportation categorical aid for those pupils who reside 2 or more miles from the school attended [s. 121.58 (4)]. The district may not charge a fee to transport those students because "[t]he cost of providing transportation for pupils [under 121.54 (4)] ... shall be paid by the school district in which they reside, and no part of such cost may be charged to the pupils or their parents or guardians" [s. 121.54 (8)].

The school district may elect to provide summer school transportation to some, but not all, students. If the school board provides transportation for less than all pupils, there shall be reasonable uniformity in the minimum and maximum distances pupils are transported [s. 121.54 (4)]. If the parent of a student who would not otherwise be transported under the school board policy requests summer school transportation, a school district may provide such if the parent "agrees to pay to the school board a fee sufficient to reimburse the board for the costs incurred in providing such transportation" [s. 121.545 (1)]. No state aid shall be paid for transportation provided under these circumstances [s. 121.545 (1)]. Parents may also enter into a personal contract with a private bus company for transportation to summer school.

Section 118.04 (4) does not allow districts to charge fees for summer classes or programs which are either credited toward graduation or aided under s. 121.14. This includes fees for transportation, shuttling, and food and lodging for off-campus activities.

School boards may establish and collect reasonable fees for social, recreational or extracurricular summer classes and programs which are neither credited toward graduation nor eligible for state aid [s. 118.04 (4)]. School boards may also provide and charge for transportation for extracurricular activities such as school athletic contests, school games, after school practice, late activity, school outings or extracurricular school field trips [s. 121.54 (7)]. Such activities are not eligible for state aid or categorical aid under current law.

I also wish to clarify my February letter regarding performances, fairs or expositions (including conventions) by pupil organizations. Student attendance alone at a fair or convention is not an aidable activity, and fees may be charged. However, providing instruction to students at such an event may be permissible for summer school membership [PI 17]. Students may not be charged fees, including transportation to any event that has an instructional component.

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have questions regarding summer school regulations, please refer to our website at dpi.wi.us/sfs/summ_sch.html. Questions concerning financial reporting may be directed to Brad Adams at 608-267-3752, bradley.adams@dpi.wi.gov. General summer school questions may be directed to Nancy Mueller at 608-266-8938, nancy.mueller@dpi.wi.gov.

Sincerely,

Brian D. Pahnke
Assistant State Superintendent
Division for Finance and Management

For questions about this information, contact dpifin@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9114

Last updated on 2/25/2008 12:04:48 PM