In an effort to cut transportation costs, the Spring Grove Area School District is looking into the possibility of cutting bus runs for children in the district who don't attend public schools.

Instead, the district would reimburse the families of these students in exchange for the families finding alternative transportation.

The proposed reimbursement rate is 14 cents per mile, the equivalent of the IRS Charitable mileage rate.

Under state law, the district is required to provide transportation to all students that attend school within 10 miles of the district border or offer an alternative. That means the district winds up busing those students to private schools.

District business manager George Ioannidis said the total non-public transportation budget is roughly $550,000. The district receives state reimbursement of around $100,000. That covers the transportation of about 250 to 260 students per year.

All families have been contacted about the possibility. Right now, only two families are considering the offer, said Ioannidis. Families must agree in order for the change to be made.

If all families accept, the district could save more than $300,000.