Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is advocating for the Ohio Supreme Court to allow a lawsuit against Columbus City Schools regarding busing issues to move forward. The lawsuit challenges the district's failure to provide transportation for students attending private and charter schools, as mandated by Ohio law.
Recently, Columbus City Schools decided to transport approximately 100 students who were previously denied busing. However, Yost argues this action does not fully address the larger problem. In a memorandum opposing the district's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, he stated, “It remains to be seen whether the district will live up to its press release and really transport these children.” He added that some information suggests otherwise.
The filing claims that many students are still without transportation because the district incorrectly believes it is too early for them to challenge its denial of services. Yost emphasized, “Simply put, this case is far from over.”
Filed in September, the state's lawsuit targets the district's refusal to transport thousands of students from private or charter schools. According to Ohio law, if a student disputes a district's claim that they fall under an exception to transportation rules, the district must provide transportation during the challenge. Yost pointed out that Columbus City Schools has not complied with this requirement.
In its dismissal motion, the district contends it might face future hearings and penalties but argues that immediate court-ordered busing cannot be enforced for neglected students since the school year began. Yost refutes this reasoning as "wrong under the law," insisting that “students need transportation now” and highlighting their legal right to it.