More students will be able to take the bus to school in the 2021-22 school year after the district prioritized funding for expanded transportation.
This fall, AISD will expand school bus transportation for 24 elementary, middle and high school campuses, making students living within a two-mile radius from select schools eligible for transportation.
Under current state funding requirements, the district does not receive funding to provide transportation services to students who live within the two-mile radius. AISD will invest its resources to add additional bus routes.
The district has recently seen a steady decline in enrollment, some of it due to students not having transportation. This effort is aimed to support student retention and increase enrollment.
"We hope this expansion will create a path to re-enroll students," Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said. "We are committed to investing in providing additional services for our students while they pursue an excellent education in Austin ISD."
Expanded bus routes include:
Students whose home campus are these schools and they live 0.4 miles or more: Andrews, Blackshear, Campbell, Dawson, Harris, Jordan, Oak Springs, Metz/Sanchez, Pecan Springs, Zavala, Norman-Sims, Odom, Winn and Widen.
Students whose home campus are these and they live 1 mile or more: Burnet, Dobie, Garcia YMLA, Martin, Sadler Means YWLA, Webb, Crockett, Eastside Memorial, Northeast and Travis.
Districtwide transportation will be available for the Winn Elementary Montessori and Sadler Means YWLA.
“We are very excited to offer more transportation options to our families next year,” said Kris Hafezizadeh, executive director of transportation. “Expanding our bus routes will allow us to reach more students and provide a safe, reliable ride whether they are going to school or back home.”
Families who will benefit from the expansion will be contacted with more information. Families can also contact their campus principal or the transportation department at 512-414-0238.
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