Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D,C – Forestburgh) today announced passage of legislation that would authorize school districts to provide busing to students attending district-sponsored or district-run pre-kindergarten programs.

“This bill will help school districts provide equal access to pre-kindergarten education for all children,” said Assemblywoman Gunther. “We all know how important early childhood education is. Transportation should never be a barrier to giving New York’s children a leg up on the ladder to educational success.”

The measure (A.10397A) would allow school districts to provide busing for pre-kindergarten students provided it meets the following requirements:

• The transportation must be provided equally to all children in like circumstances; and
• The voters of the district approve a proposition to provide transportation to pre-kindergarten students.

Some school districts enrolled in the universal pre-kindergarten program may already provide transportation to their students.