Board Passes Fee-Based Busing Pilot

PSD will eliminate free School Choice busing beginning with the 2009-10 school year for all schools/programs other than a fee-based pilot for the Poudre High School IB program, due to budget constraints and to provide consistent services to all students.  Enough families from the PHS IB program expressed interest in order for this fee-based pilot to be implemented.

The PSD Board of Education voted Jan. 13, 2009, to pilot a fee-based transportation program for students in the Poudre High School (PHS) International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

For the Board resolution and details, click here, then open the attachments. 

Following are Details for the Fee-Based Pilot:

§         Minimum number of riders and route length: Buses for this special route will be established for the following minimum number of riders: 40 for high school, so that buses are at or near capacity.  This implies enough students are interested to provide a special route.  Routes will only be established if they can be covered in one hour or less (one way).

§         Cost: For the high school IB choice busing pilot for the 2009-10 school year, the total cost per student will be $400 (approximately $2.20 per day), which is based an average of all costs for the special route, for the school year. The first payment of $40 is due at the time of registration; the remainder is due in nine monthly installments of $40 each from August 1, 2009 through April 1, 2010.

§         Fee consistent for all riders: The fee is the same regardless of a student’s pick-up location or miles transported.

§         Cost waived for low income students: Students qualifying for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program will be exempt from paying fees.

§         Advanced registration is required by May 15, 2009.

§         Limited pick up and drop off points or locations will be provided: Routes will be point-to-point with a maximum of three pick up/drop off locations.  For example: high school IB location pick-up/drop-off locations would include Fossil Ridge, Fort Collins, and Rocky Mountain high schools.  Parents/students would be responsible for transportation to and from these locations.

§        This is a pilot program for the 2009-10 school year.  PSD will review participation and evaluate the effectiveness of the program during fall 2009.  PSD will then determine interest in future routes and whether the service will continue and/or be expanded to include other choice programs in future years.

For details of the proposal, click here.

Background leading to decision: PSD held two meetings in November for parents of children currently receiving school choice transportation to share information and discuss options for the future.  Parents of approximately 500 students who currently receive school choice busing were sent letters inviting them to attend meetings.  Click here for the November 2008 Update; 

Fall 2007: Committee Background and Objectives

Click here for the Committee Final Report (22 KB) (March 2008)

The School Choice Busing Committee includes a principal, teacher, and/or parent from International Baccalaureate (IB), English Language Learners (ELL), and Core Knowledge schools/programs, PSD Student Services representative, City of Fort Collins transportation department representative, as well as parent and community representatives.  Co-chaired by Executive Director of Operations Bill Franzen, and additional co-chairpersons to be announced. 

Objectives

• Review existing choice busing practices and clearly define choice busing and how it operates.
• Define a fair and equitable choice busing system.
• Define an approach to choice busing that is financially sustainable.
• Develop recommendations for the future that could include phase-in and phase-out of program elements.

The committee concluded its work in December 2007.  For the final report and next steps, access final committee report here (22 KB) .

*Proposed Timeline, Committee, Activities,  & Decision-Making Process	Critical Background Information	Ongoing Communication, Sources, and Contacts
Sept.-Oct. 2007: Committee studies and analyzes existing choice busing, costs, policy, and options. Nov.-Dec. 2007: Committee prepares and presents preliminary recommendations to Superintendent's Cabinet. Jan.-Dec. 2008: PSD Transportation and Operations expand review to explore internal procedures and partnership opportunities with the City of Fort Collins Transfort pubilc transportation. Jan.-Aug. 2009: PSD Transportation and Operations reviews possible City of Fort Collins Transfort implementation strategies.	• Since 1992, PSD has provided transportation services to students on a space available basis to school locations outside their home school boundaries.  Currently approximately 1,700 school choice students are transported. •  Busing also has been available for students to limited educational programs at specific schools within PSD and to provide athletic opportunities to junior high students. •  These programs include: International Baccalaureate (IB), English Language Learners (ELL), Core Knowledge, junior high math 9th grade, elementary math 6th grade, and junior high athletic shuttles for 9th graders to high schools. • Implementation of grade level changes will eliminate the need for math and athletic shuttles.	• Committee Final Report (22 KB) (March 2008) • Monthly Updates and Minutes • Committee Members (36 KB) • Choice Busing Executive Summary and Policies (142 KB) •  Information: e-mail transportation@psdschools.org (p) 490-3232