District transportation update: long routes and driver shortages prompt plan to reduce stops

District transportation staff briefed trustees on March 5 about driver capacity, route length and field‑trip logistics. Assistant superintendent Mr. Horus and transportation operations technician Jasmine Lopez said the district currently transports "over 300 students" with six drivers, one operations technician and one mechanic, and that several non‑public school routes are geographically long.

Jasmine Lopez said the district is working to shorten routes by reducing stops: "For a normal route it is possible that a student is on the bus one way about 45 minutes internally and we think that's too long." The presenters explained that long distances and freeway traffic drive long ride times and also limit the time available for on‑site field trip activities; as a result the district sometimes contracts charter buses to handle long trips such as deep‑southern excursions.

Staff proposed reducing the number of stops for next year to shorten ride times and described a plan to stagger charter usage and internal routes to keep work in‑house where feasible.

Board members and attendees asked operational questions about driver overtime, parent fees, and whether PTA funding could support longer field trips; staff said the district prioritizes keeping trips in‑house but will use charters when necessary to maintain schedules.

Next steps: staff will continue route optimization for the next school year and report back as part of operational planning and the budget process.