Thomas said the state education officials “haven’t said specifically yet” what language needs to be fixed. Comment from the state board is pending.
Julie Daubenmire, a communications officer for the Ohio Department of Education, said she couldn’t go into specifics about the wording, citing the advice of legal counsel. She said her department would provide “further guidance” to Edgewood.
The resolution was to take effect Oct. 1; the district will continue to transport the students until the school board can rework the resolution, Thomas said. The busing was to be halted as one of several cost-cutting measures to lessen a deficit that is projected to peak at $6.8 million in 2013.
In accordance with state law, the district would provide parents or guardians with payment in lieu of transportation. It was estimated that halting the transportation would save the district $71,000, plus $140,000 for two new buses.
“To me, they should have had their ducks in a row,” said Elisa Jones, a parent of a child who lives in the Edgewood district but attends St. Joseph’s School in Hamilton.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
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