Katy ISD Announces Transportation Changes for 2012-2013 School Year
The Katy ISD Board of Trustees recently approved a change in the eligibility requirements for students to receive transportation services. Starting in August 2012, the eligibility for bus transportation will change from the current 3/10 of a mile to approximately ½ mile for elementary students and approximately one mile for junior high and high school students. Bus transportation will continue to be provided for students for whom a hazardous condition may exist between home and school, as well as special needs bus routes.
Approximately 52 bus routes (elementary and secondary) will be eliminated, affecting approximately 6,600 students, or nearly 21% of the 32,000 students that ride school buses daily. The Katy ISD Transportation Department will begin building bus routes in June and will have specific routing information available for parents sometime in August. Specific dates will be announced by the district once they become available.
The changes are the result of the Transportation Department experiencing particular challenges this year in having a sufficient number of drivers available to meet daily transportation route requirements. Due to vacant routes and driver absences, there have been days in which the department has found it necessary to find drivers to cover up to 46 routes. These changes will allow the district to better meet route driver needs and will provide for more effective route management, including driver training and driver support in issues involving student management.
“The change in transportation services comes after extensive review of our current transportation operations that not only revealed a heavy burden for drivers covering multiple routes, but also a high amount of uncertainty and risk due to vacant routes and driver absences,” says Katy ISD Superintendent Alton Frailey. “In comparison to other school districts, Katy ISD’s transportation eligibility distances remain among the shortest in the Houston area as many districts require students to live outside of a two-mile radius.”
A list of frequently asked questions and additional information regarding 2012-2013 bus route changes can be found on the Katy ISD website. Additionally, Katy ISD will continue to post updated information regarding new bus routes and pick-up times prior to the start of the new school year. Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.
