Board approves minor start/end time changes after route study to boost bus efficiency

Lebanon City Schools’ board voted May 20 to adopt modest changes to school start and end times to permit more efficient three-tier bus routing after administrators presented a transportation route study prepared with OSBA and consultants.

Superintendent Isaac explained that the district operates a mix of two- and three-tier routes and that small adjustments in starting and ending times at a few elementary buildings (Donovan and Bowman were noted) would allow more consistent three-tier routing, reduce dead time for drivers and could improve the district’s eligibility for an "efficiency bonus" in transportation funding. He emphasized the changes are intended to be efficiency measures and not to reduce services or eliminate routes.

Board members pressed for details on impacts. One member noted that later afternoon arrival times could mean some elementary students would not get home until nearly 5:00 p.m.; Isaac and staff said the study projects the route-time changes will ultimately reduce total route times for many students and that the district currently has a full transportation staff. The district also said no changes are being proposed to walk-zone policy and that the recommendation does not remove buses from service.

The board approved the start/end time changes by roll call. Administration will share details with families and staff and monitor evening activity needs for drivers and athletics as the new schedule is implemented.