The battle over Lakewood’s non-mandated school busing costs escalated sharply Friday, with local mosdos being urged to advise parents not to opt into the busing program at the newly increased $945-per-student rate.

The development comes after the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA) failed to receive government funding to help cover non-mandated transportation, resulting in the annual charge jumping from $385 to $945 per student.

In a message sent to Lakewood mosdos on Friday, Igud Hamosdos said that following discussions with numerous schools in town, the consensus was that parents should not be forced to shoulder the dramatically higher cost.

“Please notify your parents that, at this time, you do not recommend that they opt in to the Non-Mandated Busing program at the newly requested rate,” the message states.

“The feeling is that the cost of this transportation should be covered through government funding and should not be placed on the parents.”

Igud Hamosdos also provided schools with suggested language to distribute directly to parents.

“Regarding the new LSTA fee for non-mandated students, the Mosed feels that this is a cost that should be covered through government funding and should not be placed on the parents,” the proposed notice states.

“Therefore, at this time, our recommendation is that parents NOT opt in to the Non-Mandated Busing program at the new rate. We will keep parents updated should there be any developments.”

The message was signed by Shimon Balsam of Igud Hamosdos.

The latest move dramatically raises the stakes in the ongoing Lakewood busing crisis, as families face an increase of $560 per child — nearly two-and-a-half times the previous charge.

For families with multiple children requiring non-mandated transportation, the new rate could result in thousands of dollars in additional annual expenses.

The coordinated recommendation from Lakewood mosdos appears aimed at pushing back against shifting the funding shortfall onto parents while efforts continue to secure government funding for the transportation program.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)