The appeal must be dismissed. When the district's proposed budget for the 1995-1996 school year was defeated, respondent adopted an austerity budget on June 15, 1995. The budget included funding for a driver education class as part of respondent's educational program. Petitioner contends that while the instructor's salary is an allowable expense during a contingency budget, related expenses pertaining to the course, such as the leasing of the car, maintenance and insurance, are not.
Respondent notes that the car is owned by the district and is used for other district purposes.
Respondent argues that the appeal is moot because the course is over. Respondent further argues that petitioner's appeal is barred by laches because during the summer of 1994, while respondent was operating under an austerity budget, it offered driver's education at no cost to district residents, and petitioner's son was enrolled in that class, without any objection from petitioner. Because the class has already been completed, the appeal must be dismissed as moot. Petitioner's contention must also be rejected on the merits. It is well settled that decisions regarding the instructional programs to be offered in the schools within a district are within the discretion of the board of education.