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Oak Creek board reviews bell‑time survey and bus plan that could cut nine buses and save about $300,000
Summary
District staff and transportation partner presented bell‑time options intended to reduce late elementary drop‑offs and improve efficiency; a proposed plan would reduce the fleet by nine buses and yield roughly $300,000 in net annual savings while raising safety and implementation questions for 4K riders and athletics.
Oak Creek‑Franklin Joint School District leaders told the board on Nov. 24 they are considering changes to bell times and bus routes designed to reduce long elementary pickup delays and lower transportation costs.
Superintendent Thielen summarized community concerns about late afternoon elementary bus arrivals — in some cases as long as 30–35 minutes — and said the district’s three‑tier dismissal pattern leaves insufficient time for buses to complete high‑school runs and then reach elementary routes. Thielen said the district and its bus partner studied options and surveyed the community.
Transportation presenter Blaise said the preferred options aim to create at least a 45‑minute gap between dismissal tiers so buses can complete runs reliably. The recommended operational change would allow routes to serve more students per run and the memo shared with trustees projects a net savings of roughly $300,000 and a nine‑bus reduction in the fleet if implemented.
Board members raised concerns about athletics and extracurricular scheduling, the District Policy of required instructional minutes, and safety measures for 4K students who would ride home with older peers in the afternoon. The district said DPI minute requirements would still be met and described proposed safety steps for younger riders including assigned seating near the driver and confirmation that an adult is at the stop before the bus leaves.
Trustees also asked whether the district should issue an RFP to bid the contract rather than renew with the current provider; staff said negotiations are ongoing and noted the existing partner’s local presence and operational capacity.
The board did not take a final vote on bell‑time changes on Nov. 24; staff said the item will return for board action at a subsequent meeting with mapping, community input and a final recommendation.
