Fulton County proposes pilot second-morning bus service at two elementary schools to improve attendance

Fulton County staff presented a pilot plan (item 6.05) on Jan. 14 to add a second morning bus pickup at Brookview Elementary and Heritage Elementary with the goal of increasing daily attendance for identified students by 20%.

Chief Academic Officer Brandon Gaskins said the additional bus would target students who miss their initial morning pickup and otherwise have no available transportation to school. Staff said the pilot would use existing summer-school bus stops as centrally located pickup points and that social workers and principals would call families personally to notify them if the board approves the pilot for action.

Staff told the board the two pilot schools were selected after analysis that showed elevated chronic absenteeism and higher rates of families in poverty or transiency; those conditions make transportation a likely barrier to consistent attendance. The plan calls for an update to the board before spring break and a semester-end report on attendance and outcomes.

Board members asked operational and program questions, including how students would make up missed instructional time when arriving late; staff said schools would adapt schedules and prioritize core instruction. Staff did not present a final budget in the work session but described the pilot as targeted and time-limited; the item was listed for action on the board agenda for subsequent consideration.

Ending: Staff said the pilot is designed as a focused, data-driven test and will return to the board with progress reports if approved.