Neighborhood Stops for Secondary Students Increase

Eanes ISD is increasing the distance between neighborhood bus stops for secondary students from 1,500 to 2,500 feet for the 2012-13 school year. The move is expected to reduce costs and riding time for students, with a concentrated effort on safety. The distance for elementary student stops will remain at 500 feet.

Increasing the distance between stops reduces driver labor and fuel usage, saving the district an estimated $16,700 per year. This is a crucial savings, as Eanes ISD will absorb a $5.25 million decrease in state funding for the 2012-13 budget. The extended distance is far less than what students in most other Texas districts walk to their bus stops. Please see district comparison online.

As public education funding continues to shrink, yet unfunded mandates and new assessments increase, Eanes ISD has worked hard to reduce costs while keeping classrooms intact. The budget has been trimmed in every area possible, leaving nothing untouched. Increasing distance between stops is just one of numerous cost-cutting measures implemented for this year’s budget.

Parents are encouraged to register students for transportation services during the online registration process, which opened August 1st for Westlake High School students and opens August 8th for elementary and middle school students. Please complete transportation registration for each child in your family as soon as possible, to allow timely confirmation on bus routes for the first day of school.

For more information on Eanes ISD Transportation Services, including rules and regulations, routes and safety information, please visit http://www.eanesisd.net/departments/transportation.