Public Consultation Meeting 7:00 pm, Wednesday March 29, 2006

2006/2007 Shared Transportation Plans forMillbrook/South Cavan PS, North Cavan PS and South Monaghan PS.

Meeting Purpose

• Provide an overview of shared transportation plans for Millbrook/South Cavan, North Cavan and South Monaghan Public Schools.

• Seek input from school communities concerning proposed plans.

• Describe next steps.

Shared Transportation

• In 2005 KPRDSB and PVNCCDSB formed a shared transportation organization called:“Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario” (STSCO for short).

• STSCO integrates all planning and provision of student transportation for local School Boards.

• STSCO oversees the daily operation of all home to school transportation for local school boards which includes transporting over 32,000 students to 136 schools.

STSCO’S Organization

1. Governance Committee made up of Board Chairs, Directors and Business Superintendents.

2. Administration Team made up of Business Superintendents and Chief Administrative Officer.

3. Staff reporting to Chief Administrative Officer.

Efficiency Review Projects

• The Boards have asked that STSCO consider additional shared transportation for the 2006/07 school year.

• Four major areas are being reviewed, including Cavan/Millbrook/South Monaghan, Peterborough, Courtice and Bowmanville.

• Plans involve either: students sharing ride to school together where schools are near

each other and boundary areas are similar; or multiple running of buses, where vehicles complete two separate

bus routes and transport two sets of students consecutively.

Multiple Running of BusesThis approach is commonly used by the local

school boards and across the Province.Bell times are staggered by up to one hour to

allow vehicles to serve two schools in a row.There are currently 144 buses serving 64 schools

on a multiple run basis within the jurisdiction of local school boards.

Planning Approach

• A major consideration in the multiple running of buses concerns distance between schools and associated boundaries.

• A comprehensive approach is necessary in order to balance a wide range of issues.

• Changes to transportation should consider:appropriately planning bus routes and stops; implications for students (school hours, ride time); implications for school and staff (school hours,

supervision, bus loading zones etc.); and financial implications (cost savings).

Current Busing Network

• Currently three separate sets of buses deliver students to Millbrook/South Cavan, North Cavan and South Monaghan Public Schools:Millbrook/South Cavan - 5 busesNorth Cavan - 4 busesSouth Monaghan - 4 busesTotal = 13 buses

2006/07 Plans

• The number of buses serving each school would remain the same:• 5 for Millbrook/South Cavan;

• 4 for North Cavan; and

• 4 for South Monaghan.

• The aggregate number of buses would be reduced from 13 to 8 as five will be double run and serve two schools, one after the other.

2006/07 Plans Continued

• Millbrook/South Cavan:5 bus routes serve the school in the morning

and afternoon and when these runs are completed, all 5 buses serve other schools.

• North Cavan: 4 bus routes serve the school (3 after having

served Millbrook/South Cavan).• South Monaghan:

4 bus routes serve the school (2 after having served Millbrook/South Cavan).

Current Bell Times

Millbrook/South Cavan - 8:40 am to 3:00 pm

North Cavan - 8:45 am to 3:05 pm

South Monaghan - 8:45 am to 3:15 pm

Planned 2006/07 Bell Times

Millbrook/South Cavan - 8:20 am to 2:50 pm

North Cavan - 9:20 am to 3:50 pm

South Monaghan - 9:20 am to 3:50 pm

School Day Changes

• Millbrook/South Cavan starts 20 minutes earlier, ends 10 minutes earlier.

• North Cavan starts 35 minutes later, finishes 45 minutes later.

• South Monaghan starts 35 minutes later and ends 35 minutes later.

Implications for Students/Families

• Bell time changes may necessitate adjustment of family schedules at beginning and end of day.

• Students at Millbrook/South Cavan will board buses earlier in the morning and arrive home earlier in the afternoon.

• Students at North Cavan and South Monaghan will board buses later in the morning and arrive home later in the afternoon.

Implications for Schools/Staff

• School day will shift according to new hours.• Bus supervision at each school would be similar to

this year (i.e. arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to bell in the morning and depart 5 to 10 minutes after bell in the afternoon).

• Double running of buses requires cooperative administration between schools.

Financial Implications

• Reducing number of buses used will result in savings for Boards (est. $100,000 per year).

• Fewer vehicles and less km traveled will minimize wear and tear on roads, as well as reduce exhaust emissions.

Other Issues

• Schools will be supported by STSCO in maintaining safety and good student behaviour on buses.

• Resources available include:First Rider ProgramEmergency evacuation trainingStudent behaviour management training for bus driversvideo surveillance onboard buses

Next Steps

1) March to early-April - Gather input from school community and others.

email comments@STSCO.ca

2) Late-April - Finalize plans taking into account input received, notify school communities.

Next Steps Continued

3) June – Distribute busing information to families and schools.

4) August – Open Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for use in families confirming bus information.

5) September – School begins and new shared transportation system launched.