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District to study alternative bell times to improve bus efficiency and access
Summary
District operations presented a bell‑time analysis to examine whether changing start/end times, and consolidating routes, could increase efficiency and expand transportation access; board members asked for peer lessons after a troubled rollout in another city was described.
Dr. Adams, an operations executive for Knox County Schools, briefed the board on a planned bell‑time analysis that will model bus routing, contractor costs and potential changes in transportation access.
The nut graf: The study will evaluate whether alternative bell schedules, route consolidation or additional buses could reduce contractor costs and expand transportation access, and the district will look to other districts’ experiences before making operational changes.
Dr. Adams said the study will use cross‑department operations data to identify where adding buses or changing bell times could result in savings or improved service and to show logistical impacts for the full district. A board member asked whether the study could suggest ways to reduce or eliminate PRZ (priority rezoning) zones; Adams said that is a possible outcome but the study must be completed first.
Board members urged caution and asked staff to consult other districts. Miss Fontenot Ridley described a troubled bell‑time implementation in Louisville that caused late buses on day one; Dr. Adams said Knox County’s large number of contractors (more than 50) changes the logistics compared with places that use a single contractor and that the district has sought input from peer districts.
Ending: Staff said they will proceed with the data study and return results to the board for policy consideration and potential next steps.
