In a recent school board meeting, officials discussed plans for the transition of students back to their designated schools, emphasizing that 8th graders will remain at the high school for the current academic year. The board is considering whether to move students back during this school year or wait until the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the ongoing challenges with school bus operations. The district currently operates 30 full-size buses and contracts additional services from First Student and other providers. However, logistical issues have led to delays, with many students arriving late for school. The transportation department has been working to streamline bus routes, which previously resulted in overcrowded buses and late arrivals.

The superintendent reported improvements in bus schedules, noting that adjustments have been made to ensure students are not waiting excessively for transportation. The goal is to maintain a full instructional day, which had been compromised in previous years due to transportation issues. The district is also exploring ways to gather better ridership data in advance of the school year to improve planning.

Concerns were raised about the driver shortage, which has been a root cause of the transportation difficulties. Currently, the district employs 39 regular drivers but estimates that around 50 would be needed to operate efficiently. The administration is actively seeking to recruit more drivers and is in discussions with various transportation vendors to address the ongoing challenges.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that there will be no school on the upcoming Friday and Monday for professional development, allowing teachers time for training. The board remains committed to addressing transportation issues and ensuring a smooth transition for students as they return to their designated schools.