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District outlines bus-routing plan for split Danbury High School campus; presenters say fewer buses may be needed
Summary
District officials described a transportation model for operating two high-school campuses that would combine some middle- and high-school runs. Presenters said routing tests by the contractor (STA) will determine final bus counts; an initial estimate is about 14 buses versus 28 budgeted this year.
District leaders updated the Board of Education on a proposed transportation plan to support the split Danbury High School campus and Westside academy, telling the board the plan aims to limit disruption to elementary schedules while controlling costs.
Presenters described a model that would combine some morning routes so middle-school and high-school runs traverse similar parts of the city; under the model, sixth graders would ride some of the same buses with tenth- and eleventh-graders (ninth graders were excluded from that particular combined run in the presentation). The district said the change would be managed so younger students sit toward the front and older students toward the back.
Officials said the district originally budgeted for 28 buses but that the combined-run model appears to require roughly 14 buses as a starting estimate. They emphasized this is preliminary and that the contractor, STA, will analyze addresses to finalize how many runs and which stops are necessary. The presenters said special-education routes and mini-buses would be part of the final plan and acknowledged the need to preserve options for after-school sports and activities.
Board members raised concerns about mixing sixth graders with tenth- and eleventh-graders and asked about supervision and on-bus expectations. District staff said neighboring districts run combined 6-to-12 routes without widespread problems and that the district will monitor runs, work with bus drivers and supervisors, and adjust runs if issues emerge.
Officials described logistics the district is testing: routing simulations by STA, transfer-station stops to support late-return buses for extracurriculars, and options for A/B scheduling for specialized classes. Presenters said they will finalize routes after the contractor completes a geographic analysis of student addresses.
The board asked for proactive communications to families and for systems to allow drivers and supervisors to report early concerns. The district said it will run tests, share proposed routes with families, track bus loads and make adjustments before full implementation.
