INTERPRETATION |
Interpretation's Date: July 21, 1997 by superintendent Dr. Henry Marockie Section: IV. Students |
Interpretation |
July 21, 1997
Dr. Richard Hoover
Dear Dr. Hoover:
This is in response to your letter of July 2, 1997, in which you request an interpretation from our office regarding whether or not a school system is obligated to provide transportation for students required to stay for after-school detention. There is no law or court decision which has held that the county must provide transportation for students who are required to stay for after-school detention. Even in Cathe A., Guardian of C.E.A. vs. Doddridge County Board of Education, et al., the most recent Supreme Court decision involving the obligation of the school system to provide alternative education programs in cases where the student is not a threat to teachers, school personnel, or other students, the Court does not speak to the issue of transportation.
However, our office strongly recommends using alternatives other than
after-school detention. After-school detention could cause great hardships on
parents who have no means of transporting their children from the school to home
if they are unable to take the bus. The children may in turn be placed in danger if
they are unable to obtain a ride home after detention. In some counties there are
children who live more than an hour from their school. It seems there may be some
other equally effective means of discipline other than after-school detention for
these students.
Dr. Richard Hoover
are responsible for transporting their children from the school to home in cases of after-school detention. Also, if your county has the means to provide transportation for these students it may wish to do so. Again, let us reiterate, the county is not mandated to provide transportation; however, we urge the county to provide it if at all possible or to eliminate after- school detentions in cases where it is impossible for the parents to provide transportation for their child. Hoping I have been of service, I am Sincerely, /s/
Henry Marockie
07a/ls062 |