House passes bill that would allow students to attend school closest to their home.
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House passes bill that would allow students to attend school closest to their home.

Date: April 5, 2012
By: Paige Hornor
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1789

Intro: 
Students could attend school in a different district under a bill approved by the House on Thursday.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Under the measure, a child who travels more than ten miles to school may apply to attend school in a district other than their own.

The desired school must be at least five miles closer than the current school.

Democratic Marshall Representative Joe Aull spoke against the bill saying it could allow open enrollment.

Actuality:  AULL.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "There is a procedure in place right now, district boundaries are set for a reason. A lot of those boundaries have been set for a long time."

Republican Versailles Representative Rodney Schad is the sponsor of the bill. He says restrictions regarding distance, full class sizes and parental choice prevent open enrollment.

The bill passed by a vote of 85 to 72 and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.

Intro: 
Students enduring long bus rides would be able to enroll in a closer school under a bill passed by the House on Thursday.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would allow parents to apply for their child to attend public school in a different district if they are currently traveling more than ten miles to school.

They would be allowed to attend school in a different district if the school is more than five miles closer than their current school and the class size has not reached full capacity.

Republican Odessa Representative Mike McGhee says this bill would give kids more time and save gas money.

Actuality:  MCGHEE.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "How much more time those children can spend in the school or with the parents rather than on that bus running out our gasoline that's short."

Opponents to the bill say it could allow open enrollment.

It now moves to the Senate for approval.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.

 

Intro: 
The House approved a bill Thursday that would reduce travel time for children in public schools.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Parents could apply for their child to attend a closer school in a different district if they currently travel more than ten miles to school.

The education department would need to approve the request, after criteria regarding class size, distance and travel hardships has been evaluated.

Republican Dixon Representative David Day says the bill would improve a child's education.

Actuality:  DAY.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "Maybe they'll have some more time for family, more time for homework, whatever. But time on a bus isn't very productive time."

Opponents of the bill say the bill could allow for open enrollment.

The bill passed by a vote of 85 to 72 and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.