NORFOLK - The ratio of paying and non-paying students riding school buses is the opposite of the administration's initial estimate, Superintendent Don LeClerc told the school committee at its last meeting.

There are 566 students who live more than two miles from school and must be bused with no fee under state law, and 374 students living inside the two-mile zone who are paying.

That leaves about 200 students who are using other means of transportation to get to school.

Although not generating as much revenue as anticipated, the bus fee program has contributed more than $33,000 to the district's budget.

The lower number of students paying the bus fee results from state guidelines dictating how the distance to school is measured. Initially, school officials believed the distance was measured in a straight line from the child's home to the Freeman-Centennial School. However, it is the most traveled route between the child's home and the school they attend that determines the distance.

The distance between Freeman-Centennial and H. Olive Day schools is a half-mile distance, alone, LeClerc said.

Teachers will distribute bus passes to students next week, and also begin enforcing the bus policy at that time.

LeClerc recommends students attach the passes to their backpacks.

After next week, communication will be sent home advising any students without a pass to obtain one.