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Board reviews independent transportation study that questions PED criticism and shows need for dozens more buses
Summary
An outside evaluation commissioned at the Public Education Department(PED) request found Rio Rancho Public Schools(RRPS) is operating efficiently on a four-tier schedule but would need substantially more buses to move to a three-tier schedule that state officials favor; the districtsaid it will press state leaders for resources.
An independent transportation evaluation requested by the New Mexico Public Education Department found Rio Rancho Public Schools is operating more efficiently than PED had asserted and that moving to a three-tier bell schedule would require dozens more buses.
The nut of the AlphaRoute report, presented by Mike Baker, the districtchief of operations, and discussed by Dr. Basu Cleveland, superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools, is that the district"is taking full advantage of its current 4 tier structure," and that AlphaRouterecommended two three-tier frameworks that would require between 86 and 95 buses, compared with the district's current fleet of 67 buses.
Why it matters: Bell schedules determine start times, instructional minutes and after-school activities. District leaders told the board the start-time consequences of a fourth tier (some elementary schools beginning near 9:20 a.m.) reduce students' instructional opportunities and limit participation in extracurriculars; a state-funded increase in buses would be required to return to earlier starts without overburdening drivers.
The report and district remarks Mike Baker summarized the report's key findings and the baseline fleet: "We went up to 67 buses," he said, noting the district had received four buses from APS during the study. He read AlphaRoute's conclusion that "the Rio Rancho Public School team is taking full advantage of its current 4 tier structure, particularly in light of the national driver shortage and the efficient utilization of their buses compared to other fleets across The United States." The report's two proposed three-tier frameworks would require 95 buses (framework 1) or 86 buses (framework 2); those represent increases of 28 and 19 buses above the district's current 67.
Dr. Basu Cleveland, Rio Rancho's superintendent, said the study was performed by a vendor recommended by PED and called the findings "gratifying," adding that the district had "hand carried these copies to LESC, to LFC, to the Pro Tem, to the secretary" to ensure state leaders had the evidence. Cleveland said the chief practical problem is driver working conditions: on a multi-tier schedule drivers are effectively on call for long periods, often 12 hours, which reduces recruitment and retention.
Board members sought next steps. Jeff Morgan and other board members asked whether PED would commit additional buses; district leaders said the study was being forwarded to PED and legislative leaders and that funding proposals for new buses exist (the legislature included money for 60 buses statewide), but district staff cautioned that electric buses are far more expensive and that charging infrastructure also adds cost.
Clarifying details - Current fleet: 67 buses (baseline in study, noted by Baker) - AlphaRoute recommended fleet sizes: framework 1 (three-tier): 95 buses; framework 2 (optimized three-tier): 86 buses - Additional buses needed: framework 1 = +28; framework 2 = +19 - District argued driver workday implications: drivers cover long on-call hours under current tiers, reducing recruitment and retention - State-level funding referenced: legislature appropriated funds to purchase new buses (60 buses mentioned), but unit costs for electric buses were noted as roughly starting near $300,000 per vehicle and additional charging infrastructure required (figures described in meeting as approximations and subject to procurement details)
What the board will do next District leaders said they would continue to press elected officials and PED for additional buses or a state-level review of the transportation funding formula. The superintendent and staff will pursue follow-up with state education leaders during the interim period and to pursue potential appropriations or policy changes rather than immediate operational changes.
Ending Board members thanked transportation staff for the study and for the district's efforts running a complex system with tight resources. The district will use the report in further talks with state officials and in interim legislative outreach.
