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District proposes three‑tier bus schedule to cut costs, reassign buses and limit student ride times
Summary
As part of the FY 2026–27 budget discussion, Dr. Villanueva and transportation coordinator Christine Reichert proposed moving to a three‑tier bell schedule to reduce the fleet from 18 to 14 contracted large buses, reassign buses to elementary schools, preserve late‑run and athletics service, and capture roughly $360,993–$400,000 in annual savings.
The superintendent and the district transportation coordinator presented a proposal to move from a two‑tier to a three‑tier bus schedule as part of cost‑containment measures in the FY 2026–27 budget.
Christine Reichert, the district’s transportation coordinator, said the change would reduce the contracted large bus fleet from 18 to 14 buses and reassign runs so that high school and middle school runs are in the first tier, Anne Hutchinson and Greenvale in the second, and Waverly in a third tier. That arrangement is intended to reduce total fleet needs, shorten some student ride times and allow two buses to be dedicated to athletics and late runs.
The district projected bus‑only savings of approximately $360,993, and Dr. Villanueva said the broader reduction tied to contract and routing adjustments could approach $400,000 once contract‑related costs are included.
Supporters of the change argued it would better match fleet capacity to actual ridership, noting that some high‑school and middle‑school runs are operating at low capacity (as low as 18 percent on some routes). The administration said it would work with families to manage adjusted start times and transition plans.
The transportation plan is one of several efficiency measures the superintendent said had been identified; trustees asked for more detailed routing and start‑time information in follow‑up materials ahead of the April 21 adoption discussion.
