Despite abandoning a plan to close 11 schools in October 2024, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) considered eliminating general education (GE) school bus service, impacting roughly 2000 students and saving a mere $2.6 million. While this was included in the December 2024 Fiscal Stabilization Plan, it was later deemed an "old plan" and cancelled. The author argues this cut is shortsighted, as it disproportionately affects low-income and English-learner students who rely on bus service to access diverse school programs across the city. Eliminating the buses would not only shift transportation costs to families but also exacerbate existing inequalities. The state subsidizes 60% of bus costs, meaning the district wouldn't realize the full projected savings. Further, the district lacks data to conduct an equity analysis of the impact of this cut, highlighting a lack of transparency and consideration for the logistical challenges faced by families, particularly those in lower-income neighborhoods. A more equitable solution would involve re-evaluating school program locations and the school assignment system to minimize the need for extensive bus routes.
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