Brush board discusses longstanding MOU allowing Woodland buses to pick up students in town

The board discussed a longstanding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that permits two buses from Woodland School District to park at a Brush-area commercial lot (identified in discussion as the Wendy's lot) to pick up and drop off Woodland students, including some Brush residents.

Superintendent Marsha Cody described the arrangement as longstanding and noted that, from her experience, cross‑district busing is uncommon without superintendent-to-superintendent agreements. Board members raised questions about district boundaries, State law limitations on cross-district transportation, and the financial effect of students attending school outside the district: "let's say it's 50 kids multiply 50 by whatever your PPR is," one member said when asking about fiscal impact. Members also discussed whether the pick-up site is on public right-of-way or private property and whether a different location near the district line might reduce visibility or perceived liability.

Why it matters: If students transfer out of the district to attend a neighboring district, the home district may lose per-pupil revenue (PPR). Board members emphasized both protecting student choice and considering the district's fiscal health and suggested options from continuing the MOU this year while gathering data to renegotiate, to seeking shared services with Woodland, or to declining future use if costs become outsized. Superintendent Cody said the MOU as written did not require board approval and that she would meet with Woodland's superintendent and return with numbers and options.

There was no vote on the MOU at the meeting; the superintendent will seek data on how many Brush students attend Woodland and Prairie, and may propose a survey administered by Woodland to families to understand why they choose other districts.