Iowa City School Board members are reconsidering a recent decision to discontinue busing for students at Regina High School.

Providing transportation to the private school costs the district roughly $260,000 a year, and board members agreed to stop busing Regina students as a cost-cutting measure last spring, said board member Mike Cooper.

District officials would reimburse transportation costs for Regina parents, estimated at $190 a semester, if they decide to cut busing, he said.

Cooper said several locals spoke out about the change, which would take effect in the 2010-2011 school year, at a recent School Board meeting. Roughly 60 concerned parents were present, he said.

People were concerned the change would be a financial strain and an inconvenience for working parents, he said. District officials are looking into an agreement to provide city busing for Regina students, he said.

Board member Tuyet Dorau said school districts are required by Iowa law to provide busing or equivalent transportation reimbursement to accredited schools, even if they are outside the district.

“We need to look at what the figures are and what kind of compromise we can come up with,” she said.

School Board members are scheduled to discuss ideas at their Dec. 8 meeting.

— by Holly Hines