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District presents three-tier bell schedule proposal to address bus driver shortages and campus traffic
Summary
Staff proposed a three-tier bell schedule for 2025–26 to improve campus safety, reduce double routes, and increase capacity to convert part-time drivers to full-time; staff will run updated routing analysis with Edulog and return a recommendation to the board in April.
Michael Taylor presented a proposal to consider a three-tier bell schedule for the 2025–26 school year. The goals he listed were to protect instructional time, ensure safe and on-time transportation, reduce campus congestion, and create scheduling that would allow more part-time drivers to move into full-time, career positions.
Taylor said the district has been tracking an increase in double routes — from 12 two years ago to 25 in the current year — and that Edulog, a third-party transportation analytics vendor, previously recommended a three-tier schedule for the Topsail campus area to reduce queuing and improve traffic flow. He told the board the district is commissioning an updated Edulog analysis with current data and will include a transportation impact analysis for the new K–8 campus when the district applies for driveway permits with NCDOT.
Board members asked about family logistics for siblings at campuses with mixed start times. Taylor said the district has been developing before-school care (PACE) and other stakeholder supports so parents would not need to make two drop-offs. He also said separating grade spans could increase bus capacity (example given: a K–8 bus configured for elementary could carry up to 72 elementary students versus 60 under current configurations).
Taylor noted safety concerns at Surf City, Topsail and Pender High where car queues extend onto public roads and heavy vehicle traffic (log trucks) creates dangerous conditions. He said next steps include validating previous analyses with updated Edulog runs, collaborating with internal stakeholders, and returning a specific scheduling proposal at the April regular board meeting.
