Franklin Township kicks pay-to-ride to the curb

Franklin Township is restructuring its debt, paying more long-term, paying less right now and bringing back the school's bus system.

"I love to put transportation back," said School Superintendent Dr. Walter Bourke. "As a superintendent, a school administrator, community member who lives here, eliminating transportation was extremely difficult. We were in a position at that point of risking that great education program, or not providing transportation."

Franklin Township will soon be taking advantage of House Bill 1192, passed earlier this year. School corporations that lost 20 percent of their non-debt revue qualify. Franklin Township lost 174 percent in non-debt revenue, which amounted to roughly $16 million. State Senator Patricia Miller said she stood behind the bill because of what she said it meant for a district she represents.

"They want to pay off their debt and now they have the tools to do that," said State Senator Miller.

Franklin Township Superintendent Bourke said he knows the corporation will be under the microscope.

"It can not be any greater pressure than it has been for the last five or six years," said Bourke.

Parent Christine Bischoff said the positive steps are too little, too late. Her kids used to go to school in Franklin Township, but because of what she called "school district drama," her children now go to school somewhere else.

"I have had just tremendously sad stories from people that just didn't have resources to pay for bus service," said Bischoff. "And then the children were left with nothing. The school district did not provide for our poorest students. In my opinion the people that sit on the school board have mishandled what happened."

Bourke said 450 students left the school corporation since pay-to-ride began. While the busing situation may not be the reason all those students left, Bourke maintains it was the right call at the time.

"We have been able to begin to solve our dilemma, we have balanced our general fund, our academic program is strong and the future of Franklin Township is great," said Bourke.

Franklin Township is also getting its buses back. Superintendent Bourke will begin to negotiate an end to the school's contract with the Central Indiana Educational Service Center. Bourke said that move should be complete by the next school year.