INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The Indiana Court of Appeals says a Marion County school district acted unconstitutionally when it indirectly charged fees for students to ride buses to school.
The court ruled Tuesday that the state constitution and state law prohibit school districts or their contractors from charging a transportation fee for general education, although they can charge for transportation involving extracurricular activities.
The Franklin Township district tried to reduce its financial losses due largely to property tax caps by eliminating free bus service for the 2011-2012 school year after a tax referendum failed. In 2012, Indiana lawmakers made it illegal for school districts to stop providing bus service, but allowed them to refinance their debt.
An attorney for the southeast side Indianapolis district says the ruling is being reviewed.
