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Superintendent announces new rule limiting last-minute bus changes to improve student safety
Summary
Taylor County superintendent said each student will be assigned one bus route and one pickup/drop-off; frequent daily or weekly changes will not be permitted unless pre-approved in writing for custody or other consistent schedule arrangements.
The Taylor County School District superintendent announced a new transportation policy aimed at reducing frequent, last-minute bus stop and route changes, saying the measure is intended to protect students and address staffing shortages.
At the June 9 board meeting, the superintendent said the district will assign each student to a single bus route and one designated pickup and drop-off location. "Excessive daily or weekly changes due to bus routes and bus stops will no longer be permitted," the superintendent said, adding that "pre-planned and necessary schedule-based transportation arrangements such as custody agreements or consistent alternate schedules will continue to be allowed provided they are communicated and approved in advance."
The superintendent described operational pressures driving the change: many buses are at full capacity and the district lacks staff to process frequent, last-minute changes. He told the board the district has been handling "30 to 60 transportation changes a day at our primary and elementary schools" and said that volume creates safety and communication risks when children are placed on buses without clear, documented arrangements.
School officials said parents and guardians will be responsible for coordinating transportation between residences when needed and must provide documentation to the school for recurring or custody-related schedule changes. For single-day deviations, schools said parents should contact the school directly and staff will attempt to accommodate on a case-by-case basis.
The superintendent framed the policy as consistent with practices in neighboring districts, saying other districts require written requests and prior approval within a set period. He emphasized the policy is intended "to ensure safe and efficient transportation for all students," not to penalize families.
Board members did not debate or amend the announced policy at the meeting. The board moved on to routine business after the superintendent's presentation. The district indicated it will accept documentation for approved exceptions and will provide further procedural details to parents through schools in the coming weeks.
