NORTH BRANCH— Since the failure of the operating levy referendum last fall and with continued declining enrollment the North Branch Area Public School (NBAPS) board and administration have been looking for quick ways to cut costs and increase revenue.

This isn’t an easy task after already cutting over $10 million during the last decade and facing flat or possibly declining state funding.

Another $1.3 million must be cut by the district next year. To accomplish this they are considering closing the Main Street School and going to a four-day week.

Another possible way could be to charge a transportation fee for those living two miles or less from their school. Opening discussion on this topic was the subject of a community engagement meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Patrick Tepoorten, community relations director and grant writer for the district, presented information to those attending stating that an independent study was done last winter which resulted in changing to a tier and a half schedule which saves about $80,000 annually.

The change implemented the most efficient routing and eliminated the need for six existing buses. There are now 30 regular routes and 10 special education routes.

Transportation has 80 employees and a budget of $1.75 million.

Fees are permitted by the state within two miles of a school because transportation is not required for this distance. Since transportation is funded out of the general fund, it uses money which could be spent on the classroom. Fees for this service have been implemented by other districts, some very successfully, some not so successful. For example, Roseville charges $170 per student with a $250 family cap.

There are also accommodations for “free and reduced” and handicapped riders. This brings in roughly $40,000 in fees.

Based on estimates the district could collect from $23,000 to $38,000 annually at $100 per year per student. This assumes all students— 1,190 in grades K-12— within the two mile boundary would use the bus.

“Every dollar raised by using transportation fees is a dollar saved for the classroom,” stated Tepoorten. Savings could even be increased with a higher fee, he noted.

However, this would mean more students walking to school. Sidewalks are not yet in place in many areas, but many will be installed next year because of the grant from the “Safe Routes to School” program.

Another drawback: traffic congestion would be increased in town before and after school.

If the district moves forward with this idea, decisions must be made as to what distances are appropriate for what grades.

Should secondary students walk two miles and elementary one mile? Should it be applied to secondary only? How much should be charged per child and should there be a family cap?

With no help from the state in the foreseeable future, the district is on its own with funding, officials said. More cuts are anticipated far at least five years. The general fund needs to be preserved and transportation fees will have a long term benefit toward this effort.

Some questioned why so many students are being driven to school by parents and aren’t taking advantage of the bus.

Is this factored into how many buses are needed and maybe a fee should be charged to those who don’t ride the bus. Transportation Director Bill Burton explained that, yes, students being driven by parents are considered. He takes count numbers three times a year, but it is difficult to change pick-up times in the middle of the year.

One person had a question about how the fees would be charged. With five children, there are many things to buy at the beginning of the year and paying an additional fee would be difficult.

It was explained that some districts offered several ways to pay, all at once, by the month or by the trimester. There is also a cap on the number of students charged for in each family.

Suggestions made also included raffling off high school parking spaces. A survey was distributed to all those in attendance regarding their particular thoughts on amounts to be charged and ages of students.

Results will be posted at a later date.