For the first time in the history of the Duquesne City School District, bus transportation will be offered to students who live beyond a half-mile circumference of the Duquesne Education Center.

The state board of control voted at its Tuesday meeting to enter into a five-year agreement with Pennsylvania Coach Lines, with a first-year cost of $550,000.

The Duquesne district has about 475 students enrolled in grades K-8. Duquesne High School was closed in June 2007, and high school students are transported to either West Mifflin or East Allegheny high schools.

District officials said about 427 students in grades K-8 will qualify this fall for the bus transportation, which will be provided at three pickup points in the community.

Of those students, 214 will be transported to the Duquesne Education Center and 213 will be transported to private schools, charter schools and other out-of-district programs in which they have been placed by the district.

The measure is proactive and not the result of any incidents involving students, said Sarah McCluan, spokeswoman for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, which manages the Duquesne schools.

"Some of our children who live in the district ... do need to walk quite a ways to school or to rely on alternate transportation such as the Port Authority.

"The district just believed it was time to provide transportation for the students so it would be easier for them to attend school and would provide a safe environment," Mrs. McCluan said.

AIU Executive Director Linda Hippert, who is the superintendent of record for the Duquesne district, said attendance during the past year was 93 percent, and the hope is busing will increase that number. Students who are bused will arrive at school in time for the district's breakfast program.

Drivers hired by the district will be at least 21 years of age, licensed, and required to pass all necessary criminal background checks and FBI clearances. Video cameras will be placed on all buses holding 48 or more students.

The district's discipline code will be enforced for students who ride the buses.

"Even though some of our students were taking Port Authority transit to school, there was always uncertainty about how to handle inappropriate behavior on the bus because the district does not have authority on Port Authority buses," Mrs. McCluan said.

Parents will soon receive information about the transportation program via the mail and other sources.

"We know this is a new experience for parents putting their kids on a bus. We are preparing information that spells out times, routes, bus stops and expectations while on the bus," Mrs. McCluan said.

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