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Modesto reports enrollment gains, new special‑education transportation and higher meal counts after first week
Summary
Modesto City Schools reported enrollment of 28,722 on day two (≈301 more than same day last year), strong attendance, a record backpack giveaway, and for the first time dedicated special‑education bus routes serving 195 students.
Modesto City Schools leaders on Aug. 18 detailed operational results from the district’s first week of the 2025–26 school year, reporting modest enrollment growth, higher meal counts and the launch of a special‑education bus fleet.
Associate Superintendent Tim Zurley told the board that day‑two enrollment was 28,722—about 301 students more than the same day in 2024—and that student attendance that day was 95.27 percent. Nutrition services reported serving 20,260 meals early in the week, growing to roughly 24,262 by Thursday as families and students settled into routines.
Transportation officials said the district transported 3,534 regular‑education students on 39 routes and, for the first time, provided district‑managed special‑education transportation: 195 students were carried on 16 routes that included 10 non‑ambulatory and six transition routes. Deputy Superintendent Gdau highlighted the “history‑making” deployment of special‑education buses painted with district markings.
Technology and operations leaders also reported that the district supports more than 29,000 student devices and that IT staff resolved thousands of tickets during the rollout. Student support services reported strong enrollment in expanded‑learning programs: after‑school enrollment neared 4,000 as of the third day, up from roughly 1,300 at the same time last year.
Board members praised campus supervisors and staff for improved traffic flow and for record participation at the Marshall Park backpack giveaway (about 1,280 backpacks distributed). The board did not take formal policy action on the report; staff said continuing enrollment updates would be provided through September 5.
