Superintendent flags busing problems, reports open-enrollment numbers may be falling

Superintendent Dr Smith used his report to address transportation challenges and to share preliminary open-enrollment figures with the board.

On transportation, Dr Smith said district leadership had already contacted the director of transportation and the vendor First Student after hearing reports of missed or delayed routes. He told board members the district gathered quick feedback from principals and secretaries and recorded a transportation satisfaction score of 6.7 on a 1–10 scale, which he said represented improvement but not the level the district wants. "I've already messaged our director of transportation and our transportation manager to see if they could get back in contact with you," Dr Smith said, adding that the district is pursuing short-term fixes while continuing longer-term planning.

On open enrollment, Dr Smith described a multi-year rise in transfers that peaked last year; he gave historical figures showing roughly 455 then 532 then 615 open-enrollment counts in prior years and said current, preliminary reports range from about 579 to 620. He emphasized uncertainty in the early days of school but noted the number of new open enrollments this year was lower than last year — roughly 56 so far compared with 171 last year. "That number is down considerably," he said, while cautioning that figures could change as the district finalizes records.

Dr Smith connected transportation and enrollment to district priorities, saying both affect attendance, achievement and culture. He asked for patience as staff work to improve bus service and said the district would follow up with parents and principals where problems were reported.

Next steps: the superintendent said the transportation team and vendor will continue troubleshooting and that the district will update the board as more enrollment data is finalized.