House passes bill that would allow students to attend school closest to their home.

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3/21/2012: Radio Story - Turner v. Clayton brings open enrollment back to light, but not debate.

Intro:	Students could attend school in a different district under a bill approved by the House on Thursday.
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Wrap: Under the measure, a child who travels more than ten miles to school may apply to attend school in a district other than their own.

The desired school must be at least five miles closer than the current school.

Democratic Marshall Representative Joe Aull spoke against the bill saying it could allow open enrollment.

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Description: "There is a procedure in place right now, district boundaries are set for a reason. A lot of those boundaries have been set for a long time."

Republican Versailles Representative Rodney Schad is the sponsor of the bill. He says restrictions regarding distance, full class sizes and parental choice prevent open enrollment.

The bill passed by a vote of 85 to 72 and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.

Intro:	Students enduring long bus rides would be able to enroll in a closer school under a bill passed by the House on Thursday.
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Wrap: The bill would allow parents to apply for their child to attend public school in a different district if they are currently traveling more than ten miles to school.

They would be allowed to attend school in a different district if the school is more than five miles closer than their current school and the class size has not reached full capacity.

Republican Odessa Representative Mike McGhee says this bill would give kids more time and save gas money.

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Description: "How much more time those children can spend in the school or with the parents rather than on that bus running out our gasoline that's short."

Opponents to the bill say it could allow open enrollment.

It now moves to the Senate for approval.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.

Intro:	The House approved a bill Thursday that would reduce travel time for children in public schools.
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Wrap: Parents could apply for their child to attend a closer school in a different district if they currently travel more than ten miles to school.

The education department would need to approve the request, after criteria regarding class size, distance and travel hardships has been evaluated.

Republican Dixon Representative David Day says the bill would improve a child's education.

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Description: "Maybe they'll have some more time for family, more time for homework, whatever. But time on a bus isn't very productive time."

Opponents of the bill say the bill could allow for open enrollment.

The bill passed by a vote of 85 to 72 and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Paige Hornor.