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District plans targeted changes to bus stops; 637 students in 12 schools flagged as walk-zone riders
Summary
District transportation staff identified 637 students currently using bus stops inside designated walk zones at 12 elementary schools and outlined a phased communication and implementation schedule beginning March 24, with full effect in school year 2025–26.
District staff told the board they have identified 637 students who are currently riding buses despite living inside designated elementary walk zones and outlined a targeted plan to change those stop assignments.
Why it matters: stops inside walk zones are unfunded and can add transportation expense and inefficiency. Staff said the cleanup follows large boundary changes and local street improvements that restored walking access in some neighborhoods.
Transportation staff said they identified 12 elementary schools with pockets of students who were permitted to ride in the past due to temporary construction or road closures. Staff gave the board an example: one school's riders were allowed on buses while a road was closed during construction; the road has since reopened but some riders still receive bus service. The targeted clean-up will notify families rather than issuing a blanket rule to the entire school population.
Timeline and communications: staff said a general letter to the 12 schools will go out on March 24, with specific emails and maps to affected families on March 28. Staff will follow up in May and again in July to give families time to make alternate arrangements. The change is expected to take effect in the 2025–26 school year.
Board members asked about the maps and zone shading; transportation staff said detailed maps showing specific homes and stop locations are included in the board packet and that staff will meet individually with principals and families as needed. Staff also said the effort aims to improve fiscal efficiency and align stop assignments with updated walk-zone designations and safety improvements.
Transportation staff praised operations staff for on-the-ground adjustments during recent disruptions that required early-morning changes and said the targeted approach aims to avoid confusion while giving families time to prepare for changes.
