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District proposes shuttle to let South students access Central courses; pilot, staffing and marketing planned
Summary
Hinsdale Township High School District 86 staff proposed a 'red and gold' shuttle that would run between Central and South to increase student access to courses housed at one campus. The board welcomed the plan and asked for a phased pilot, outreach and cost details; no formal action was required.
District leaders presented a cross‑campus transportation plan on March 26 that would allow students at Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central to take courses offered exclusively at the opposite campus without relying on parents for travel.
Principal Bill Walsh described a "red and gold" shuttle that would use district mini‑buses and staff drivers holding appropriate permits to transport students between campuses during the school day and after school. The proposal is designed to be operationally feasible without purchasing additional large buses and would run as a pilot in 2026–27.
Administrators emphasized that the pilot would be phased and that insurance would not require an additional rider. "We were already using many buses extensively after school hours for transportation and students with staff. That was always permissible, under school code and state law," the district’s finance officer said, noting that fuel and maintenance costs would be “fairly nominal” and that the main expense would be compensation for staff who obtain bus‑driver permits.
Trustees asked that the program be marketed widely so students know the option exists and recommended a cautious roll‑out (for example, once‑a‑day shuttle runs to start) to avoid running buses with low utilization. Board members also stressed that any shuttle plan should minimize lost instructional time; principals said scheduling could be arranged to allow shuttle rides at lunch or between later periods where possible.
Administration outlined next steps: conduct a student interest survey to determine demand, finalize driver certification and stipend arrangements, coordinate logistics with the labor groups covering staff drivers, and build the service into master facility and transportation planning. The presentation did not require a board vote; trustees thanked staff and asked for follow‑up details at upcoming committee meetings.
What’s next: Administration will pilot the shuttle logistics, confirm staffing/certification approach and provide a plan for spring/summer communications before implementation for SY 2026–27.
