 How does this change impact my high school student?
Potentially, it also allows our high schools to offer a limited number of zero hour classes. (A zero hour class is a regular class offered before the normal school day begins.) This allows a student to take their seven classes, zero hour through sixth period, or first through seventh periods. In addition, this change allows more flexibility for students based on the state's mandated four by four (four credits in math, science, English and history).
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How are routes determined?
The amount of time allotted for a route depends on the bell schedule for the grade level for that route and the density of students in the area. Currently, there are bus stops approximately every two blocks. With this change, BISD could create neighborhood stops for secondary schools, thus reducing the time a route would run enabling us to keep or improve most of our current times. |
What is the difference between a bus route and a bus run?
A bus route is everything that a bus and driver maintain during the period of the school day. A run is a specific part of that route that includes picking up one group of passengers and delivering them to a specific school or home. It is feasible that a bus route will contain several runs to serve different campuses.
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Will a change in the bell schedule affect my child’s bus route?
A change in the bell schedule will not necessarily change bus stops or the path of a route. Every effort will be made to stay as consistent as possible, but changes in the bell times could result in a change in pick up and drop off times.
Will the schedules cause a change in the order that grade levels are picked up and dropped off?
Yes. The district will run a two and three-tier busing system that is more efficient than the current system. Under the system, buses will run elementary routes first, then middle school routes and then high school routes. |
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Can all secondary schools be on the same bell schedule?
No, BISD doesn’t have a fleet large enough to handle such a schedule. Combined, middle school and high school routes would use 50 percent of the fleet, leaving an insufficient amount of buses to handle special education, bilingual and academic shuttles as well as athletics and field trips.
Why can’t the district buy more buses and hire more drivers instead of changing bell schedules?
First, the District’s operating fund balance would not be able to support such a purchase. The typical large bus costs approximately $90,000. The current estimate is that a minimum of 20 additional buses would be needed to maintain standards of on-time performance, ride-times, athletics, and field trip availability under the current bell schedules. Additionally, the cost for maintenance, insurance, fuel, and drivers’ salaries and benefits would place an additional burden on the district’s operating budget. The average cost to maintain and operate a bus is $5,500 and the average cost for salary and benefits is $20,000 annually. Under the current funding formula for schools, BISD is not able to add expenses to the operating budget without cutting programs in other areas or increasing taxes. Any tax increase would require voter approval. The only way to purchase a large number of additional buses would be through a bond referendum.
What is the percentage of students who ride a bus daily for regular routes and special education routes to and from school?
Approximately 13 to 15 percent of the district’s students ride the bus to and from school on any given day. This percentage has been increasing over the past several years.
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How many schools do not have bus students?
Thirty-two of the district’s 33 campuses have some level of transportation services.
Will the current fleet of buses be able to provide for an increase in the number of students who ride buses, if an increase should occur?
By making changes to the bell schedules, the district will be able to handle routes and programs more efficiently and effectively for the next several years. The current fleet of buses can handle an increase in route ridership. |
Will the current fleet of buses be able to provide for new programs the district might seek to add in the future?
Most likely no; any new program requiring transportation would have to include additional operating budget for buses, maintenance, fuel, insurance and drivers. The answer depends on the program needs and whether the district experiences an increase in the number of students riding buses. But generally, new programs involve additional routes and, therefore, additional buses. The district’s fleet is currently serving routes and programs at maximum capacity.
Are athletic periods held during the same periods of the school day for all secondary schools?
Yes, they are both before and after schools.
Will the new bell schedules eliminate students missing class in order to participate in competitive athletics or activities?
Not entirely. Some activities occur during the regular school day and are not impacted by the school bell schedule.
Will this change in bell schedules impact field trips?
The change should help make more buses available to handle field trips.
What is the purpose of increasing the amount of time between routes in the morning and afternoon schedules?
The primary purpose is to address the concerns associated with students waiting for up to one hour for school to begin, and up to 40 minutes in the afternoon for a bus to pick them up to go home. This change will significantly reduce student wait time both before and after school.
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Why does high school start later in the morning?
The later schedule is supported by sleep research, which states, “Sleep and wake patterns among adolescents are biologically determined (circadian rhythms); the natural tendency for teenagers is to stay up late at night and wake up later in the morning.” This research indicates that early morning school bells do not fit with adolescents’ sleep patterns and needs. “Evidence suggests that teenagers are indeed seriously sleep deprived” with early bell schedules. And, elementary students’ circadian rhythms fit best with an early start to the day. More information about sleep research is available through several sources. One source reviewed was the National Sleep Foundation, which can be found at www.sleepfoundation.org. Check out the section on “sleep and lifestyles” and link to “teens.”
Doesn’t the body adjust to changes in sleep schedules?
No. Research shows that the body does not fully adjust to changes in sleep schedules based on the fact that sleep patterns are biologically determined.
What will be the on-duty time for teachers and will the total duty time increase?
The district will look at the bell schedules and determine general on-duty times for each grade level (elementary, middle and high school). However, the actual time for each employee depends in part on the needs of the campus as determined by the principal. The total amount of duty time should not change. |
