School committee and administration add buses, adjust routes after crowding complaints

The School Committee and district administration told the meeting they have added two buses to address recent crowding complaints and started a late‑bus program covering about 10 to 11 stops on the Joyce side of town.

Why it matters: Bus capacity and routing affect daily safety, punctuality and families’ logistics. Rapid operational fixes are of immediate interest to many parents and caregivers.

Vice Chair Wetzel and administration reported the district added one bus serving the Linscott and one bus serving the Goodyear and that the late bus includes a stop at the Boys & Girls Club. School staff said changes began the week of Sept. 12; the district acknowledged communication with families could have been timelier and said principals sent updates to parents and staff. Transportation staff are working with bus supervisor Kerry Carpenter to even out ridership by changing some stops and shifting students among buses when patterns cause spikes; administrators said some crowding spikes occur because middle‑school students go to friends’ houses after school on some afternoons.

Committee members asked for an explicit late‑bus stop list and requested the administration post clear routing information and reminders about expected ridership. The resource and capital subcommittee report noted school and city staff worked evenings to finalize routes and that overtime was used to confirm student lists and contacts.

Discussion versus decision: The addition of buses and the start of late‑bus service are operational decisions the administration implemented; the committee requested follow‑up communication and a published stop list for parents.

Ending: Administration said they will continue to monitor ridership, consider minor stop adjustments and publish an updated route and stop list to principals’ newsletters and the district website.