0001-94
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
AND
PROVIDENCE PLANTATION
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
CARLOTTA PULEO
V.
PAWTUCKET SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Held: Student not entitled to transportation.
January 4, 1994
Findings of Fact
The student in this case attends Shea High School in Pawtucket. He lives a little under 2.4 miles from the school. He contends that he should receive school bus transportation or at least that the school district should provide him with free bus tokens. Under G.L. 16-21-1 a student is entitled to free transportation if the age of the student, the distance walked, and the hazards along the roadway, make it impractical for the student to attend school without transportation. Brown v. Elston, 445 A.2d 279 (R.I. 1982).
In the case at hand Sergeant Laurence, the school safety officer testified that a number of safe walking routes were available to the student ranging from about 2.4 miles to 3.2 miles. Sergeant Laurence is employed by the Pawtucket Police Department. The parent of the student focuses her concern on the urban nature of the route which her son must walk.
After examining the area we reach the conclusion that this high school age student has a number of safe walking routes to school.
Conclusion
The appeal of the petitioner is denied.
Forrest L. Avila
Hearing Officer
Approved:
Peter McWalters
Commissioner of Education
January 4, 1994
Date