District presents bus behavior program, reports drop in elementary bus referrals

Michelle Wright, director of behavior services, told the board the district tied classroom behavior systems to transportation, training drivers in trauma-informed approaches, common language and a bus matrix used across elementary schools and routes. "We told drivers that it starts with trust then connection which equals a good relationship," Wright said.

Scott Bliss and other transportation staff described a behavior-assistance team made up of drivers and staff that sets goals for bus behavior, supports monthly training and conducts fidelity inventories. Wright said the district is seeing a reduction in elementary bus referrals from 538 in earlier years to 356 in 2026 and reports that roughly 50–56% of drivers are meeting goals set through the fidelity process.

The team also showcased a three-minute video used with students and drivers to teach expected conduct on the bus. Board members praised the program as addressing a key reason for driver turnover and said the video, training and tighter school-transportation coordination make the school day begin positively for many students.

District materials presented to the board include the bus matrix and behavior-support resources created by the Innovative Learning Center and an online 'behavior support center' available to staff and drivers.