Lakewood Board Restored Free Courtesy School Busing
The district will now provide transportation for 307 public school students after a unanimous board vote.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Administration
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The Lakewood Board of Education voted 9-0 to restore free courtesy busing for 307 public school students this month. The measure commits $245,000 in district funding to reinstate the services.
Why it matters
The decision follows recent parent protests demanding the return of these routes, which were cut earlier this year to address the district's significant financial challenges. This restoration impacts family logistics for hundreds of households that previously relied on district-provided transportation.
The board approved $245,000 in funding for the public school routes, while non-mandated private school students remain subject to an annual $675 fee per child. The district has sought over $132 million in state loans for the 2026-2027 school year.
The players
Lakewood Board of Education
The local governing body overseeing public school administration and district budget allocation.
Louise Davis
The state-appointed fiscal monitor tasked with overseeing district spending and managing financial recovery.
The details
The board authorized the district to cover these transportation costs directly rather than requiring families to secure their own ride arrangements. While the state-appointed fiscal monitor allowed the public school busing plan to proceed, they continue to block a separate $14.9 million proposal to fund hazardous-route transportation for private school students due to excessive debt concerns.
Timeline
August 2026: The board initially voted to discontinue courtesy busing for students.
September 9, 2026: The board attempted to extend hazardous-route transportation to nonpublic students.
October 2026: The board voted to restore courtesy busing for public school students.
The Home Front
The district's ongoing fiscal instability remains a major driver for local administrative shifts, as budget constraints force officials to prioritize specific student populations. This move follows a series of state-monitored cost-cutting measures that have altered school-transportation services.
Families affected by the restoration should contact the school district to confirm their student's route details and bus stop location. If you are a parent of a private school student, review your student's eligibility status regarding the $675 transportation fee.
The takeaway
The Lakewood Board of Education is prioritizing the restoration of services for public school students while managing a complex debt crisis under state oversight. Parents should monitor upcoming board meeting agendas for any changes to private school transportation funding.
Further reading
For more on the district's ongoing transportation policies, visit the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Matzav.
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Should school districts prioritize taxpayer-funded transportation for public school students over private school students?
