LEUSD Outlines School Bus Service Plan

FOR UPDATE ON THIS STORY

The following is a news release from the Lake Elsinore Unified School District:

The Lake Elsinore Unified School District Governing Board will consider temporarily restoring bus service to accommodate over 2,000 students living in geographically remote areas during If approved, limited home-to-school bus service would be provided during the first semester of school, from August 13 until December 21, 2012.

The Special Meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the new board room, located at 545 Chaney Street. The public is invited to attend.

“In February, the Governing Board directed staff to reexamine home-to-school transportation options for the 2012-13 school year, contingent on funding availability,” said President Susan E. Scott.

The district was forced to cut home-to-school busing last February due to state budget cuts. “Listening to community concerns, we believe transporting students who live in remote areas is the priority need,” said President Scott.

Special Education transportation was not affected by the February decision, and will continue for qualified students, based on their IEP (Individualized Education Programs).

Approximately $350,000 in one-time unrestricted general fund revenue is available to restore limited busing during the first semester of school. Funding would come from a vacancy in the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services position that will remain unfilled, and restructuring a copier and printer lease agreement.

An estimated 2,073 students could be served using 12 bus drivers and 12 clean-burning CNG buses on an interim basis. If ridership exceeds bus capacity, a waiting list would be created.

Bus passes would be available for one semester only (August—December) at the current price of $175 per semester, avoiding any fee increase for now.

Service would cover geographically remote areas, those with extraordinary topography, traffic conditions, and/or long distances that preclude walking or bicycling to school.

Staff has recommended a plan that identifies five “geographically remote areas” and nine “distance areas” (shown on the next page) for an estimated total ridership of 2,073 students.

Geographically Remote Areas and Estimated Student Ridership

1.            The Farm (209 students, grades K-12)

2.            Ortega Hwy (40 students, grades K-12)

3.            Horsethief Canyon (191 students, grades 9-12)

4.            City of Canyon Lake (611 students, K-12)

5.            Meadowbrook and Greenwald (257 students, K-12)

Distance Areas and Estimated Student Ridership:

1.            Sedco Hills to CLM (129 students, grades 6-8)

2.            Canyon Ranch to RRE (89 students, grades K-5)

3.            Canyon Ranch to CLM (40 students, grades 6-8)

4.            Canyon Hills to EHS (112 students, grades 9-12)

5.            Canyon Estates to CLM (75 students, grades 6-8)

6.            Grand Avenue between Jamison St. & Shoreline Dr. to LVS only (121 students, K-8)

7.            Grand Avenue between LVS & Pederson to LHS only (87 students, grades 9-12)

8.            The Grove to EES (38 students, grades K-5)

9.            Tuscany Hills to CLM (74 students, grades 6-8)

If approved this evening, a communications plan that includes special route maps, bus pass information, ridership eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions will begin immediately to promote the limited availability of home-to-school bus transportation this semester.