USD 437 board hears subcommittee recommendations to limit free bus service under 2.5 miles and proposes $300 elementary fee

Michael White, a member of the USD 437 Board of Education and member of the district transportation subcommittee, presented the committee's findings Monday and urged community feedback before the board adopts any policy change.

The subcommittee's primary recommendation, as presented by White, would preserve legally required service for students who live more than 2.5 miles from school, and change service for students who live within 2.5 miles. Under the recommendation, elementary students living under 2.5 miles could access bus service for a $300 fee; secondary students (middle and high school) would not be provided district bus service if they live under 2.5 miles. White said that the recommendation is not final and that the board is seeking public input before any adoption.

Why it matters: The district faces a shortage of drivers that the subcommittee said is forcing the use of maintenance and other staff to cover routes, increasing overtime and reducing maintenance capacity. The committee said the shortage is common statewide and nationwide and that the district runs about 40 regular and 15 special-education routes with roughly 4,000 daily riders (about 70% of Auburn Washburn students). The district receives state reimbursement of about $550 per student for those living over 2.5 miles, White said.

Key recommendations and data

- Mileage eligibility: Maintain state-required service for students living more than 2.5 miles from school; evaluate limiting district…