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Freetown‑Lakeville leaders plan schedule changes after bus delays, cite train crossings and driver shortages
Summary
District officials described ongoing afternoon bus lateness tied to train crossings and driver availability and said they will survey ridership and present proposed start/end time changes at the June meeting.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Barbara Starkey and district staff told the school committee on May 20 that the district continues to work on repeated afternoon bus delays and is planning schedule changes for next school year to reduce late‑arrival times for elementary students.
Dr. Barbara Starkey, the interim superintendent, said the district has increased daily communication with bus operator First Student and school principals about late buses, conducted bus evacuation drills and provided railroad‑safety training to drivers. She said the district has met with Ken Resendiz of First Student and principals to "expedite communication in the afternoon" and that the company and schools are now notifying parents when buses arrive later than expected.
Why it matters: Committee members and administrators said lengthy afternoon rides and late elementary drop‑offs are a pressing concern for families and that addressing the problem will require route design changes, consideration of start and end times across buildings and accounting for railroad crossings where trains are delaying buses.
Planned steps: The district reported it will - distribute an ARHS (high school) ridership survey this spring to inform route planning for next year; - run route trials with the bus company based on residency data to see whether changes reduce late runs for elementary students; - return to the school committee in June with specific proposed alterations to school start and dismissal times.
District officials noted the changes to school day length included in the ratified contracts factor into schedule planning: additional learning time at several elementary and middle schools next year means start or end times likely will shift. The district said it is also considering after‑school activity schedules, students who care for younger siblings, the number of buses, route distance and time students spend on buses.
Ending: Administrators asked for continued patience from families while trials and a proposed schedule come back to the committee in June.
