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• May 19, 2008 11:40 pm US/Eastern
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  Dade Might Do Away With Buses For Magnet Students

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Dade Might Do Away With Buses For Magnet Students

MIAMI (CBS4) ― The Miami-Dade School District's own website shows the benefits of the hands-on and focused learning offered in magnet programs and vocational schools. Jonathon Alves says his International Baccalaureate Program at Ammons Middle School gives him an edge.

"I think it's gonna help me in the future and help me get into a better college," said Alves.

The same goes for his big brother Matthew who attends Coral Reef Senior High, ranked the 19th best school in the nation.

"The teachers are good," said Matthew Alves. "Like, they give us some real experience."

Both boys have to take the bus to get to the schools that offer magnet programs, and they could soon be left without a ride. The school board will vote Wednesday whether to cut all busing for magnet and vocational schools.

"It's gonna be a big inconvenience for me, because we are two working parents, and we won't have the time to take each of these kids to school each and every day,"  said their mother Beverly Alves.

"A lot of people will probably end up withdrawing and not coming back to the school," said her son Matthew.

The district says it has to make these cuts.

Every year the state gives the district $30 million for school transportation, but district officials say the actual costs to run the program is three times that amount. By cutting the magnet and vocational programs' busing, the district hopes to save $12 million.

"We're not required to provide any transportation for magnet," said Deputy Superintendent Ofelia San Pedro. "The District has done it for many years, but we're one of the few districts in the State of Florida that continues to provide magnet transportation."

Still, Jonathon thinks the district should focus its cuts elsewhere.

"Try not to cut the buses, cut maybe your salary, or the other high people's salary," he said. 

Broward Schools still provide magnet and vocational busing, and a spokesperson said they have no intention of cutting their program.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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