The board voted 4-1 to ditch the fee and hope for a future resolution to a funding crunch from the Department of Education or a referendum, 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

"We hope our community hears our need and reacts and supports us," said Franklin Township Superintendent Walter Bourke.

The fee would have helped make up for a loss of about $10 million in revenue resulting from property tax caps.

The board's attorney disagreed with the AG's opinion, but said that if the district was sued over the fee, the battle could be lengthy and costly.

"I would recommend … that we try some of these other options first … because that doesn't put any additional cost on you," said Charles Rubright, the board's attorney.

The school has enough revenue to get through the upcoming school year and hopes for a successful referendum in May, although voters recently turned down a referendum in the same district.

If the new referendum passes, the revenue wouldn't flow to the district until 2012.

"We'll have to do everything we can to be as economic and efficient as we possibly can this school year and hope we can make through next fall," Bourke said.

Parent Susan Richardson said the district has to find a palatable solution, but no other parents spoke up on the issue.

"I depend on that transportation to get my son back and forth to school," said Susan Richardon. "I work every day."

Richardson said she was surprised that few people showed up to the meeting.