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School system adds buses as special-education transport requests rise; regional Eastern Shore program under active development
Summary
The district reported 35 additional special-education transportation requests this school year, added two buses and described ongoing regional efforts (through ESNEC) to site a specialized program on the Eastern Shore to reduce long cross-bridge trips for some students.
Queen Anne's County staff told the board Feb. 19 that special-education transportation requests have increased this school year, prompting both added bus resources and regional planning to reduce long out-of-county travel.
Dr. Kibler said the district has recorded 35 additional special-education transportation requests this school year and added two buses to its fleet to help meet demand. "Just when I met with Mr. Murdoch this morning, we had, additional 3 students. So we're at 35 additional special education transportation requests for this current school year," she said.
Board members flagged the cost of transporting some students across the Bay Bridge to programs in other counties; staff said about five to six buses make daily trips across the bridge and that the district has about 24 buses total in the fleet. The long travel distances and required return trips create substantial transportation expense.
The board and staff described regional work through ESNEC (Eastern Shore Special Education Consortium). Dr. Kibler said ESNEC has hired a full-time director (Kelly Griffith) who is working with the Maryland State Department of Education and a consultant (Kennedy Krieger) to explore siting a specialized school on the Eastern Shore. "They're looking at different sites to be able to bring a program here," she said, and board members discussed the value of joint letters or other outreach from Eastern Shore school boards to support that effort.
Ending: Staff said creating an in-region program would take time but could reduce future transportation costs and placements out of county; the board discussed coordinating a multi-district letter of support through ESNEC.
