Yakima School District transportation director outlines 4‑bell option after cutting charter spending

Art Rodriguez, director of transportation for the Yakima School District, told the board on Feb. 18 that the transportation department is operating near capacity and is exploring a move from a two‑bell schedule to a four‑bell schedule to save money and expand service.

Rodriguez said the district currently has 66 drivers of 69 allocated positions and is running 60–61 routes that cover general education, special education and preschool (including ECAP). "We have 66 drivers out of 69 allocated for our department," he said, and added that morning and afternoon runs follow a two‑bell model with high schools and middle schools running together and elementary schools on a later bell.

The director highlighted a recent operational change that cut charter bus use substantially: "Last year at this time, we had 88 charters used up to this point from September to February. This year... we are at 5 charter buses that we've used this year," Rodriguez said, adding the shift is saving an estimated $200,000 this year in charter costs.

Rodriguez framed the four‑bell idea as a tool to increase utilization of district buses and drivers, reduce transfer routes for elementary students and potentially eliminate transit zones that now require some students to use city transit. "With going to 4 bells, we believe we can eliminate our transit zones and still provide that service and get those kids service back to them," he said, describing transit zones around Eisenhower and Davis that the district currently does not directly serve.

He said the 4‑bell model would lengthen average driver route times from about 5–5½ hours to about 6–6½ hours, which could allow the district to offer more consistent hours to drivers without increasing hourly pay. Rodriguez also said the change could reduce the total number of buses needed over the day while enabling more direct school‑to‑school routes for elementary students, which he described as a service improvement even if it does not directly save money.

Board members pressed on likely effects on families and traffic. Director Rice asked whether a four‑bell system would force changes to school start times; Rodriguez replied, "If it was to be adopted... it would impact some students. It would impact families," and he said community input would be needed. Superintendent Dr. Green noted other districts have used tiered bell systems for cost savings: "There are districts that are... looking at those opportunities," he said.

Rodriguez identified operational constraints that limit near‑term flexibility: limited bus parking at the yard, ongoing driver absenteeism and the need to maintain spare buses for trips. He said absenteeism since Jan. 1 has ranged from about 10% to 20% daily (roughly nine to 15 drivers), and the department has reprioritized to avoid canceling special‑education routes. He described a staffing approach that includes permanent substitute drivers or "floaters" to improve daily coverage.

Rodriguez closed by saying he has developed models for the four‑bell approach and is offering it as an option for further study, not as an immediate change. "We can maintain it, but do you wanna do better? Do you wanna be more efficient?" he asked the board.

Board action: the presentation generated questions and direction for further study but no formal vote.

Ending: The board thanked Rodriguez for the report and discussed a possible site visit to the transportation facility. Any timetable for adopting a four‑bell schedule would require more data and community engagement, according to board members and staff.