Tuesday night, Tyrone Area School Board members approved a motion to charge the participating students $45 for its behind-the-wheel driver education program.
The move followed a survey that was conducted by the Tyrone Area School District’s superintendent’s office.
A handout regarding the survey showed a list of several districts in the region and whether or not those districts charge students for the driver’s ed program. The survey also showed the amount charged in the districts that do impose a fee on students.
Currently out of 11 districts surveyed, Claysburg-Kimmel, Spring Cove, Bald Eagle Area and Philipsburg-Osceola Area do not charge a fee for the program. Philipsburg-Osceola is considering a fee, according to the survey information. One school district, Penns Valley, does not provide the service in-house.
Of the remaining districts, Altoona Area charges the highest rate with a $182.50 fee and an additional $50 charged to non-residents. Bellwood-Antis charges the lowest fee at $27. Other fees ranged from $36 to $50. One district, Bellefonte Area, allows its $50 fee to be waived if there is an economic need.
Tyrone Area said the driver’s education budget for the 2006-07 school year includes an approximate cost of $10,000 for the instructor’s salary based on a $17.41 hourly rate for six hours per student of behind-the-wheel instruction. Vehicle costs for gas, insurance and maintenance are additional costs.
According to the information provided to school board members, districts requesting state reimbursement receive $35 for each student who completes the standardized driver education program. Districts can charge no more than $50 for the lab fee. The fee cannot exceed the justifiable cost per student and cannot include teacher salaries or benefits.
Districts not seeking reimbursement can establish charges as approved by the school board.
Superintendent Dr. William N. Miller said Tyrone would receive the $35 in state reimbursement plus the new fee of $45 being imposed on students.
“It still will cost the district a significant amount of money,” said Dr. Miller. “If you look at Altoona, you are looking at about $185, that’s probably realistic per student. We’re getting a portion of it, approximately half.”
The district also provided statistics on student participation. In 2003-04, there were 93 students that used the program. In 2004-05 there were 102 participants. In 2005-06, there were 86 participants as of June 2. The information showed the district’s expected additional students to have taken the course by the end of June. The district will begin charging the $45 fee effective July 1.
In other school board decisions, Tyrone Area accepted the resignation of long-time elementary principal Theodosia Spewock. Her resignation is effective Sept. 11, 2006.
The board also accepted the resignation of boy’s head basketball coach Michael Harris. A story regarding Harris’ resignation can be found in today’s sports section.
