[Durham INC] Information on DPS proposal for 3-tier busing

[TheOcean1 at aol.com]

The folks who operate our school busses visited a meeting of the PAC  
Co-Facilitators on Weds night, and asked us to get this information out to the  
public. I've tried to copy and paste it at the bottom as well as attach  it.
 
There is very little time, as you see below, so please pass this on to any  
neighborhood listservs to which you belong.
 
Bill  Anderson


In a message dated 10/29/2010 1:12:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
Tahira.Stalberte at dpsnc.net writes:

 
Good  afternoon, 
The Durham  County Board of Education is considering a 3-tier bus schedule 
to improve  academic performance and transportation efficiency.  The 
proposal, which  will stagger start and dismissal times, is based on the  
following: 
·          Current  studies reveal high school students may perform better 
if schools start  later 
·          Some  elementary and middle schools have requested a longer 
instructional  day 
·          Improved  transportation efficiency would result in an increase 
in state funds,  lessening the burden on local funding 
A  community input session is scheduled for November 9, 6:30- 7:30 p.m. at 
the  Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Rd.  Parents and community 
members  may also email feedback to _3tier at dpsnc.net_ (mailto:3tier at dpsnc.net) 
. 
Thank  you. 
Tahira  Stalberte 
Chief  Communications Officer 
Durham Public  Schools 
P. 919.560.9112   
C.  919.358.8876 
F.  919.560.2007 
www.dpsnc.net 
tahira.stalberte at dpsnc.net 
Durham Public Schools is considering staggering school  start and dismissal 
times to
improve learning and transportation efficiency  for the following reasons:
• Current studies reveal high school students  may perform better if 
schools start later.
• Elementary and middle schools  have requested a longer instructional day.
• Improved transportation  efficiency would result in an increase in state 
funds, lessening
the burden  on local funding.
The Board of Education is seeking public input regarding  this proposal. 
Important factors being
considered in this proposal are  outlined below.
Transportation Services
“3 Tier” Busing  Options
Operational Considerations
Current School Hours
• Elementary:  9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Middle: 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
• High: 7:30 a.m.  – 2:30 p.m.
Proposed School Hours
• Elementary: Varied start  times
(Elementary start times range from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.;
Dismissal  times range from 2:15 – 4:00 p.m.)
• Middle: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
•  High: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Operational Constraints
• Morning and  afternoon bus schedules may
be different
• Length and distance of  routes
• Arrival time 20-30 minutes prior to school
start time
•  Students dropped-off with NOAH (no one
at home)
• Time needed between  routes need to allow
buses to arrive on schedule
• Transportation for  magnet programs
complicates schedules
Decision Making  Considerations
• Maintain safe and on time transportation for
all  students
• Studies highlighting adolescent sleep and
learning  habits
• Effect on students’ after school activities
(work,  athletics)
• Changes to “school-based” childcare
programs
• Earlier  start times for elementary schools
mean some students will be picked up in  the
dark.
• Effect of time changes on families
• Maximizing  transportation efficiency
• Impact of field trips and other programs
•  Transportation for magnet programs
complicates schedules  




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