New school start times & transportation changes for 2012-13
July 9, 2012
Due to recent school boundary changes and proposed reductions to school transportation funding by the state, District 308 has undergone a full evaluation of its transportation services. Service adjustments were recommended to the Board of Education and approved by the Board at its May 7 meeting. Two of the changes are described below. Further information is available by viewing the April 9 and May 7 Board meeting video clips on the district website or the transportation presentation and audio recordings on BoardDocs. Parents' cooperation and understanding are appreciated as the district strives to balance its level of services with its financial responsibilities.
School Start Time Changes
Changes will be made to the times school begins and ends to allow for more efficient use of the district's transportation services. Under the current bell schedule, the district's bus drivers and monitors can only run up to two routes each morning and afternoon. By slightly changing the times between when the high schools, junior high schools and elementary schools begin and end their days, drivers can run three routes per morning and afternoon. This not only better uses the time of the district's paid transportation staff, it also eliminates the need for the district to purchase five routes from an outside transportation vendor. This change is expected to result in approximately $150,000 in savings for the district.
School Start/End Times for 2012-13
High School:
7.20 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
Junior High:
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Elementary:
| Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
| 8:30 a.m.-3:20 p.m. |
8:50 a.m.-3:40 p.m. |
| Churchill |
Boulder Hill |
| Fox Chase |
East View |
| Homestead |
Grande Park |
| Hunt Club |
Lakewood Creek |
| Long Beach |
Southbury |
| Old Post |
|
| Prairie Point |
|
| The Wheatlands |
|
| Wolf's Crossing |
|
School Bus Service Changes
As part of the transportation evaluation, specificially in regard to bus routes, the following criteria was used:
- Ability to institute crossing guards/crosswalks and school zones to provide safe travel to school
- Partnership with other governmental bodies to utilize walking paths and bridges
- State-mandated transportation regulations regarding distance and hazards
After careful evaluation, it has been determined that some addresses that qualified for bus service in 2011-12 will no longer qualify for the 2012-13 school year. Families affected by this change will be notified via mail. This change is expected to result in approximately $300,000 in savings for the district. The families being impacted include students who live within 1.5 miles of school AND who reside in the following areas:
-
Homestead Elementary School students residing in Harbor Springs, Blue Skies and Columbia Station
-
Churchill Elementary and Plank Junior High School students residing in Churchill Club who cross 5th Street to attend school
-
Traughber Junior High School students residing in Southbury who cross Wooley Road to attend school
-
Prairie Point Elementary School students residing in Morgan's Crossing and Deerpath Trails
- The Wheatlands Elementary School students residing in Amber Fields North
- The Wheatlands Elementary School students residing in Four Pointes
- Wolf's Crossing Elementary and Bednarcik Junior High School students residing in Lakewood Valley and Amber Fields
-
Grande Park Elementary and Murphy Junior High School students residing in Grande Park
-
Oswego East High School students residing in Prescott Mills
-
Hunt Club Elementary School students residing in Hunt Club
-
Some areas in Boulder Hill with students who attend Thompson Junior High School
New school hours part of revamped transportation plan, By Steven Jack, Oswego Patch