THE EDUCATION LAW PERMITS, BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE, SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO STUDENTS ATTENDING NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS WHEN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT IN SESSION (THIRD DEPT). ​

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Ceresia, determined that Education Law 3635 should not be interpreted to require school districts to provide transportation to nonpublic schools when public schools are not in session:

As is relevant here, Education Law § 3635 (1) (a) states that “[s]ufficient transportation facilities . . . shall be provided by the school district for all the children residing within the school district to and from the school they legally attend, who are in need of such transportation because of the remoteness of the school to the child or for the promotion of the best interest of such children.” * * *

We reject Supreme Court’s broad view of the statute not only because it runs afoul of the legislative history, but also because it would lead to unreasonable results … . To be sure, the Legislature could not have intended to require school districts to transport nonpublic school students in the summer, on weekends, on state or federal holidays, or on days when public schools are closed for weather-related or other emergency reasons, none of which would be foreclosed by Supreme Court’s interpretation. … [W]e hold that Education Law § 3635 (1) (a) permits, but does not require, school districts outside New York City to transport nonpublic school students to and from school on days when the public schools are closed. Matter of United Jewish Community of Blooming Grove, Inc. v Washingtonville Cent. Sch. Dist., 2022 NY Slip Op 03566, Third Dept 6-2-22

Practice Point: Here the legislative history of Education Law 3635 was consulted to determine that school districts are permitted, but not required, to provide transportation to nonpublic-school students went the public schools are not in session.