To the editor:

According to an article in the Journal-World a few months ago, it costs approximately $16,000 a day to operate the school buses. That $16,000 could be used to hire 160 more teachers per day, assuming their salary is about $100 a day. This would benefit all students.

This came to my mind as I was walking down Lawrence Avenue and three school buses went by heading toward schools and none of the buses were very full. Then a city bus went by and it was empty. We the taxpayers are subsidizing the city buses and of course are taxed for the school buses. Why not consider making a deal with the city buses and even the KU buses to transport children? Parents may even want to carpool and make this $6 million-plus available each year for schools, teachers, and extra-curricular activities. Taxis also are available and they have seat belts! Let’s ask the parents what they prefer. Let them decide, especially at this time when money is in short supply for our schools.

Nancy Leak,

Lawrence