What's happening
This bill allows Syracuse's school district to pilot expanded transportation for K-5 students living at least one mile from school.
Why it matters
Addresses transportation equity and student access. By lowering the distance threshold from 1.5 to 1 mile, more K–5 students in Syracuse could receive bus transportation, potentially improving attendance and reducing barriers for younger students, especially in urban neighborhoods where safety or distance may be concerns.
Includes safety considerations for exceptions. The bill allows the district to provide transportation for students living less than a mile from school if there are safety concerns, giving local decision-makers more flexibility to address specific community needs.
Requires data-driven assessment. The pilot must be formally evaluated, with a report analyzing costs, benefits, and the impact on attendance and academic performance, which could inform future transportation policy statewide and ensure accountability for the program’s effectiveness.
State and local financial implications. By making these transportation expenses eligible for state aid, the bill could shift costs but also potentially improve efficiency, and the required cost-benefit analysis will clarify whether expanded busing is sustainable or cost-effective for both the district and New York State.
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Who cares
Syracuse school district and Board of Education
The bill would let the board adopt a transportation pilot lasting up to five school years beginning in 2019–2020, with its expenses eligible for transportation aid.
Syracuse families with children in kindergarten through fifth grade
The pilot would offer transportation for district residents living at least one mile from school, up to 15 miles, with board-approved exceptions for safety concerns within one mile.
Before- and after-school child care providers
The pilot could provide transportation between school and child care locations rather than only children’s homes.
Governor, legislative leaders and education commissioner
They would receive a report on the pilot’s first four years covering district and state costs and benefits, student attendance and academic performance.
Headline styles
Expand Syracuse School Busing
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expand Syracuse School Busing
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor William Magnarelli
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4005
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 25, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the city school district of the city of Syracuse
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 3635 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph h to read as follows:
h. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the city school district of the city of Syracuse, pursuant to adoption of a resolution by the board of education setting forth a plan, may enter into a pilot program not to exceed five school years beginning in the two thousand nineteen--two thousand twenty school year to provide transportation services for children residing within the district attending kindergarten through grade five who live one mile or more from the school they legally attend. Such transportation shall be restricted to transportation to and from children's homes or before or after-school child care locations and, if offered, shall be provided for each student up to a distance of fifteen miles, provided, however that the board of education of the city school district may approve transportation for children who live within one mile from the school they legally attend if such transportation is necessary due to safety concerns. Transportation pursuant to this paragraph shall be offered equally to all children in like circumstances residing in the district. For the purpose of computing approved transportation expenses for transportation aid, expenses for transportation provided pursuant to this paragraph shall be included. The city school district of the city of Syracuse shall provide a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate and the commissioner on the results of the first four years of the pilot program, including the cost and benefit analysis of increased or decreased costs for the city school
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01942-01-9
S. 4005 2
district and the state, and the impact on student attendance and academic performance of the school district, on or before September thirteenth, two thousand twenty-three.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the city school district of the city of Syracuse
Purpose
This legislation would allow the Syracuse City School District to insti- tute a pilot program to provide transportation to all students grades K-8 who live 1 or more miles from school.
Summary of provisions
Section 1- Adds new paragraph h to § 3635(1) of the Education Law. This language allows the City of Syracuse to receive transportation aid as part of a 5 year pilot program to provide transportation to all children grades K-8 that live 1 or more miles from school. At the end of the pilot program the Syracuse City School District shall produce a report on the results of the program.
Section 2 - Establishes the Effective Date.
Justification
The Syracuse City School District is one of the largest urban school districts in Upstate New York. Syracuse is a high-needs district with high concentrations of poverty. Under current law, the State will only reimburse districts for transportation costs of children grades K-8 who live 2 miles or more from school and children grades 9-12 who live 3 miles or more from school. This policy forces many students in Syracuse to walk through high-traffic and high-crime areas. Additionally, they must face Upstate New York's traditionally harsh winters. The Syracuse City School District is committed to reducing its busing distance, espe- cially for its youngest students. However, a change in the law is required to allow the District to receive transportation aid for some of these costs.
Allowing Syracuse to reduce its busing distance will promote better student attendance and attentiveness in class. The Syracuse City School District faces many challenges. Getting children to and from school safely should not be one of them. All children deserve safe school transportation. This legislation will allow the Syracuse City School District to establish a 5 year pilot program to reduce its busing distance to 1 mile for grades K-8, and receive transportation aid for those expenses. At the end of the progiam, the Syracuse City School District will produce a report on the outcome of the program.
Legislative history
2017-2018: A.510-A/S5003 (Valesky); 2016: A.9547-A
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.