WCPS proposes phased plan to move two schools off late bus tier; would add drivers, buses over two years

Washington County Public Schools staff told the board on May 20 they want to phase Ruth M. Monroe Primary and Eastern Elementary off the district's late bus schedule to reduce long dismissal times and get staff and students home sooner, a move that would require new drivers and buses and be phased over two fiscal years.

Chief Operating Officer Mr. Prue and transportation staff described the two schools' current placement on tier 4 — with a 9 a.m. start and about 3:45 p.m. dismissal — and said the routing situation means buses often do not arrive on campus until after 4 p.m. "As a general rule, most of our buses are not getting onto that campus till 04:00 or later," Mr. Prue said, and that has reduced end-of-day planning time for teachers.

Staff proposed a phased change that would move the two campuses toward an earlier tier (described in the presentation as a "tier 1a") coordinated with a larger district routing change planned for fiscal 2028 when a new elementary school opens. To implement the change staff asked the board to consider adding five bus drivers in FY26 at an estimated cost of about $250,000, and eight more drivers in FY27. Transportation's plan assumes acquiring up to 13 additional buses and seeking waivers where necessary for state-compliance bus replacement rules.

Why it matters: Board members described the late arrival times at those campuses as a persistent operational issue for staff and as especially problematic for younger students. The change would alter school start times for the affected campuses and require additional operational funding, drivers and buses.

Questions, costs and timeline: Mr. Prue said the plan would be phased and monitored; the five drivers hired in FY26 would initially be assigned to tier 4 to provide immediate relief at dismissal, and additional hires in FY27 would support the full tier transition ahead of the 2028 calendar change. Board members asked where the district would find the funds; staff said the work would require budgeting choices and possible timing adjustments to bus replacement cycles. Mr. Prue told the board the district is evaluating whether contracting routes would be more cost effective but that routes close to the depot are typically cheaper to run in-house.

Board response: Several board members supported moving to reduce extended dismissal times. Board member Linda, who said she has observed lengthy dismissals at the schools, told the board, "I feel for the teachers, the staff that have to stay so long." Some members asked whether adding drivers made sense if redistricting and school consolidation would reduce runs; staff replied the full effect will not be known until final redistricting and that routing work can reduce the number of required buses in some scenarios.

Next steps: Staff asked for the board's feedback and indicated they will return with more refined cost estimates and a plan for funding hires and bus acquisitions in upcoming budget work sessions.