During the regular monthly Maize Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 9, board members voted 7-0 to approve three changes to transportation. These changes are needed because of the ongoing and difficult challenges with bus driver shortages. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year:

1. Maize USD 266 is limiting transportation service to only students who live beyond 2.5 miles of school. Kansas law requires school districts to provide transportation to students who live more than 2.5 miles from school and does not provide funding for transportation for students who live closer than that.

Historically, Maize USD 266 has provided additional transportation for those who live within that distance. Unfortunately, the district does not have the staff to continue that practice. District leaders wish this change was not a necessity and acknowledge the hardship it may cause for families who have relied on the transportation when the district has been able to provide it. 

To clarify, a family may have one or more child(ren) eligible for transportation and one or more not eligible if their children attend different Maize USD 266 schools. This would be the case because transportation eligibility specifically relates to the distance between each individual child’s home and school. 

Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires transportation will continue to receive transportation regardless.

2. Also approved last night is the establishment of a deadline for transportation requests two weeks before and after the first day of school for 2022-23. The many and frequent requests within days or even hours of the first day of school in August 2021 caused significant delays in finalizing and communicating bus routes. The rate of frequent changes continued for days beyond the first day of school, causing ineffective and inefficient processes, including late bus routes and frequent changes for riders. For this reason, families will not be able to make changes or request transportation within the two weeks before the first day of school without a delay in service. Any request that is received within that window will be accommodated as soon as possible but not likely during the first two weeks of school. Please stay tuned for additional information to come.

3. School schedules will be adjusted slightly to better accommodate school bus drop-off and pick up schedules. These changes will provide better traffic flow and allow ample time between buildings for transportation. The new school schedule beginning in August 2022 will be as follows.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Maize USD 266 as district leaders and school board members balance various needs and make plans together for the future.