District to implement tiered bus scheduling system
Indian River (Del.) School District will implement new daily starting and ending times for several district schools. The district is trying to accommodate an increase in student enrollment and the rollout of full-day kindergarten, which have put a strain on the transportation system in recent years.

Indian River (Del.) School District's tiered bus system will have new daily starting and ending times for several schools. The system is designed to accommodate an increase in student enrollment and the implementation of full-day kindergarten, which have put a strain on the transportation system.
Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, the Indian River (Del.) School District will implement a tiered transportation system that will create new daily starting and ending times for several district schools.
The district created the system to accommodate an increase in student enrollment and the rollout of full-day kindergarten, which have put a strain on the transportation system in recent years. The system will also reduce bus overcrowding and allow for student growth at all schools.
The new system was approved by the Indian River Board of Education on June 16.
Under the new plan, district schools will be divided into “First Start” and “Second Start” categories with different starting and ending times for each group.
The school day for First Start schools will run from 7:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Buses will arrive between 7:25 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and depart between 2:35 p.m. and 2:38 p.m.
The school day for Second Start schools will run from 8:35 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. Buses will arrive between 8:15 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. and depart between 3:25 p.m. and 3:28 p.m.
All district schools will have a standard school day of six hours and 45 minutes.
The system will reduce the number of elementary students on a single bus to between 50 and 55. The number of secondary students on a bus will be reduced to between 38 and 44.
All district high schools and middle schools will also have early start times like most secondary schools in Delaware.
More Management

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →
Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show
See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.
Read More →

