MOORPARK : Schools OK Fees for Some Bus Trips

The board of the Moorpark Unified School District has agreed to charge students for bus transportation to extracurricular activities.

Board members Tuesday night, however, delayed approving the new policy until they confirm whether state law allows parents to drive student-athletes to competitive events.

Under the policy, sixth- through 12th-grade students will pay a minimum of $100 a year for extracurricular activities, such as band or athletic events, that require bus transportation. Students involved in more than one activity will pay $75 for the second activity and $50 for a third. The maximum bus service charge will be $225 per student and $325 per family.

Students whose families qualify for Aid to Families with Dependent Children can ask to have the fees waived.

But parents who do not receive welfare still might not be able to afford the fees, board member Pam Castro said, asking that the policy explicitly state that parents may drive children to extracurricular events, rather than pay the fees. School officials were not sure whether state law requires students on athletic teams to ride buses to competitions.

The board delayed approving the policy until the matter is clarified.