Schools
North Canton School Bus Routes To Be Posted Earlier Than Usual
Changes to district's transportation plan under way as a result of Unified Elementary Design.
Figuring out how to transport about 4,700 children to and from numerous school buildings on 42 buses is never an easy feat. Then add into the mix North Canton City Schools’ realignment of its elementary buildings and it can be a serious challenge.
This is the first year the district is classes through its Unified Elementary Design plan.
That plan translates into cost savings for the district through the elimination of mid-day bus runs for the former half-day kindergarten classes. But it also means a redesign of the general transportation plan that has served the district well for more than 20 years.
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Todd Henne, district business director, said the new transportation plan is currently being streamlined and that routes and bus numbers should be announced on the district’s website by Aug. 14.
“Historically we have the bus routes posted the Friday before school starts. We are working to push that date and get information out to parents earlier because there’s a heightened sense of anticipation anytime anything changes,” Henne said. “But we want it to be right when we put it out.”
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The district uses a software program called Edulog to help plan its bus routes. The program takes into account every student enrolled in the district and where they live. Also factored in are the school each student attends and the associated start time, many of which have changed this year due to the realignment plan.
This year’s transportation planning process was far more involved than in previous years, according to the district’s website. Parent and teacher groups were assembled to brainstorm and discuss what they felt were key topics that needed to be addressed as part of the new Unified Elementary Design.
Following are the key items that are being considered as planning takes place:
- Length of bus routes
- Building start and end times so that parents can coordinate their connections
- Traffic patterns at each building for car traffic to be separate from bus traffic
- Coordination with after-school programs
- Special needs riders
- Consistent rules for setting up bus stops
- Safe drop-off zones for younger students
- Age-appropriate rider groups
- Safety throughout the process