Yost opposes Columbus City Schools’ effort to dismiss busing lawsuit

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is urging the Ohio Supreme Court to reject Columbus City Schools’ attempt to dismiss the state’s lawsuit over the district’s busing failures.

While the district recently agreed to provide transportation for around 100 private- and charter-school students who were previously denied, Yost argues this does not address the broader issue.

In a memorandum opposing the district’s motion to dismiss, Yost pointed out that “untold numbers” of additional students remain without transportation.

“It remains to be seen whether the district will live up to its press release and really transport these children,” Yost said, adding that the state has received information suggesting that the district is still not fully compliant.

The lawsuit, filed in September, claims that Columbus City Schools violated Ohio law by refusing to provide required transportation for thousands of students attending private or charter schools.

Yost emphasized that the district is legally required to provide transportation while students challenge its decisions, but has failed to do so.

In its motion to dismiss, the district argued that any penalties for noncompliance would be handled in future hearings.

Yost countered that this does nothing to resolve the current harm students are facing, stating, “Students need transportation now. The law clearly provides them with that right.”

Yost insists the case is far from over and the state’s lawsuit must continue to address the ongoing issues.