Where can I get information about any changes to the transportation plan that may occur before the start of school?

Information is posted on the Monroe Public Schools website www.monroeps.org  and information that is specific to a school will be provided through that school’s listserv and by notices sent home with students.

What is so different about this year; why all of the changes?

The referendum process resulted in a reduction to the 2009-2010 Board of Education budget in excess of one million dollars.  Mitigation strategies were established including staff and program reductions and the reduction of four (4) school buses.  The district will be running 24 buses instead of the 28 buses provided last year.  This reduces the district’s ability to provide the same level of service as last year.

Why are the tiers changing?

In Monroe a bus serves 3 tiers or routes.  The first tier combines Masuk and Jockey Hollow, the second tier Chalk Hill and St Jude School, and the third tier the 3 elementary schools.  The buses cover the town’s 26.4 square miles and the students residing along its 140 miles of roadway.  The change of schools in tiers followed an analysis of various factors, including the desire to reduce the bus and auto traffic congestion at the middle school campus

How are the bus routes and the bus stops determined?

First Student has names and addresses for each student by school and grade level.  Typically, routes are rolled over, and students leaving the district are deleted and new students are added.  In a typical year the routes require minimal adjustment.  The elimination of 4 buses and the change in tiers required First Student to start from scratch to identify greater efficiencies in routing students.

What recourse do I have if I am unhappy with my bus stop? 

The bus stops are computer generated for efficiency as cluster stops.  Stops are reviewed by local First Student managers with a thorough understanding of Monroe roads and areas that pose particular challenges for school bus access.  Stops that are purported to be dangerous are reviewed with feedback from the Monroe Police Department.

What are the district’s priorities when it comes to the transportation of students?

The district has chosen the theme, “Safe Buses, Smooth Rides.”  This theme illustrates the district commitment to operate buses safely and efficiently.   For the first few days of school, until the routes settle in, all the district administrators will be assisting at the schools by monitoring buses as they come and go.  You will recognize them and the teachers normally assigned to assist with arrivals and departures by the yellow bus jackets they will be wearing.  Additionally, bus drivers will have completed test runs of their routes to help insure on-time performance.  Occasionally, traffic, weather or mechanical problems may cause delays.   In some cases these delays may be reported by local radio stations.  Parents may also call First Student to inquire about a bus that is delayed.

What should I do if I am unhappy with a child’s behavior on the bus?

 Contact the administration of your child’s school.  The administration is trained to conduct investigations and when necessary schedule a meeting with all involved parties.  Cameras are in operation on all buses.

How will decisions about individual situations and requests be made? 

Requests can be directed to the Monroe Public School transportation line or through the district website where parents can complete a brief information form that is then sent electronically to the transportation office.  These are reviewed by the administration and management of First Student for safety concerns and the need to keep bus runs to less than 60 minutes.  The district consults with the Monroe Police Department in the investigation of safety claims.

What is the role of First Student, the bus company that we contract with?

The bus company goal is to transport students safely and efficiently between home and school.  The phone number for First Student 452-0103 serves as an emergency contact number that parents may use.  Times listed for bus stops are approximate times that are computer generated.  The driver begins the route with the first stop and first time shown for the route.  The driver establishes a driving pace to get students to school on time.  All students are asked to be at their bus stop 10-minutes in advance of their scheduled time.  This request will extend through the second week of school to allow the timing for driver and students to settle in.  This is especially important in a year that has more change to the transportation system.

Will the district still provide the same level of service to daycare businesses in Monroe?

Yes, for the 2009-2010 school year the district has agreed to service the same daycare facilities that were serviced last year.  With the reduction of four buses the stop at a daycare may occur at the end of the route resulting in somewhat longer rides for those students.

Why is the service to the Six-to-Six Magnet School in Bridgeport changing?

Prior to this year the bus provided door-to-door service.  With the reduction of buses the district is providing a cluster pick-up stop behind Monroe Elementary School at 7:30 AM and a cluster drop-off in the lower parking lot at Masuk High School at 3:30 PM.

How are the families that have children at St Jude School affected by these changes?

St Jude will be serviced by 5 of the 24 buses in tier 2.  This will result in slightly longer routes and ride times.