Reps. Tims, Robinson Introduce Bill Prioritizing Busing for Public School Students

COLUMBUS — Ohio House Assistant Minority Whip Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) and Assistant Minority Leader Phil Robinson (D-Solon) recently introduced House Bill (HB) 545, the School Busing Improvement Act, to ensure public school students are prioritized in school busing.

“The School Busing Improvement Act would solve one of the greatest challenges Ohio Public Schools are facing,” said Rep. Tims. “Currently, Dayton Public School students are not guaranteed a ride to school on a publicly funded bus. Ohio has a backwards law that requires school districts like Dayton Public to prioritize the transportation of charter and parochial students over Dayton Public School students. I respect parental choice, but that choice should come with an expectation that you will transport your own child to school. Too many DPS students are falling behind and HB 96 only reinforces those challenges such as chronic absenteeism. This is a commonsense piece of legislation: a school district’s school bus system should bus the students attending that district’s schools.”

If passed, this bill would ensure Ohio’s public school students are prioritized over students attending charter schools when it comes to transportation. Currently, Dayton Public Schools are unable to meet the transportation needs of their own students because the buses must pick up and drop off students who attend charter schools, while DPS has no control over select holiday schedules or varying school bell schedules.

The bill awaits a House committee assignment.