The money for discounted bus passes for Scranton students ran out almost a year ago. Since then, students have faced the same long walks as they did until 2009, when several organizations provided funding for discounted bus passes.
Some students, including those who live in low-income housing developments in South Scranton, have walks of more than 4 miles to Scranton High.
With letters to area nonprofits unanswered, the district has asked the University of Scranton for assistance.
"It's extremely important," Superintendent William King said. "We're always trying to eliminate barriers. We can't educate them if they're not there."
For about two years, donations allowed the district to offer a monthly County of Lackawanna Transit System bus pass for $5. Monthly bus passes now cost $24 per child, which families and community advocates say can be a challenge for a family on a fixed income.
Children either must pay the public bus fare, find a ride or walk. Getting to school is another obstacle the students in the area's poorest neighborhoods, including Valley View Terrace and Hilltop Manor, must overcome, the advocates say.
After a series of stories in The Times-Tribune in 2008 and 2009, several nonprofit agencies donated funding that reduced the cost of monthly bus passes for students at the time from $20 to $5.
In Pennsylvania, school districts are not required to provide any transportation to students, and Scranton transports only some elementary and intermediate school students. It provides no busing for high school students.
University officials are now exploring ways the school can assist the district with the transportation of its students, university spokesman Stan Zygmunt confirmed.
School board President Bob Lesh, who is a COLTS bus driver, said he sees the struggle kids go through to get to Scranton High.
"It's difficult for them to get to school," he said. "We don't want anything to deter the kids from a good education."
An agreement with the university could eliminate a barrier.
"I feel very positive that they are going to come through," he said.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter