SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Unified School District’s board of education reviewed a proposal last week for changes to the district’s school bus transportation services over the next three years that would support the board’s strategic plan commitments and budget reduction goals.

District staff identified ways to cut six buses while minimizing the number of families impacted in August 2011. They also looked at ways to avoid changes to schools’ start and end times for fall 2011, as well as ways to maintain as many stops as possible in areas of the city with the lowest average test scores, maintain as many stops as possible to after school programs, and maintain as many stops as possible with high ridership.
 
School bus services for general-education students attending elementary and middle schools will be reduced to minimize the use of general fund budget contributions for transportation.

Remaining services will change to support the district’s strategic plan, especially commitments to access and equity. Special-education students with IEPs that require transportation will not be affected.  
 
For some families, the changes could go into effect with the start of the school year on Aug. 15, 2011. Eleven elementary schools may see general-education transportation cut entirely. Four other schools will also lose some services but will maintain general-education transportation services from areas of the city with the lowest average test score and stops to afterschool programs.  
 
“We’re phasing these changes in because we know this will be a difficult adjustment for families. The cuts proposed for next year would impact about 9 percent of current general-education riders,” said Orla O’Keeffe, special assistant to the superintendent on student assignment. 
 
Throughout the month of February, the district is inviting parents and school staff to share their feedback about the transportation changes. More information about the changes can be found here.