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When the Xenia Community Schools slashed $8.8 million dollars from the budget, parents and families were likely not aware of the full effect of the deep cuts. Major changes in the busing plan for students have made the cuts an unfortunate reality for parents and students.

Overall route patterns used for more than fifteen years had to be completely overhauled this summer. The consolidation of buildings and grade levels across the district meant that transportation staff members were completely redesigning routes and stop times. To save money, buses that used to transport roughly 30 students are now transporting more than 50 students which are near capacity level. This means that many students are on the bus a lot longer (morning and afternoon) than they used to be. There are many more stops and additional delays.

For many years, the Xenia Schools were providing something resembling a “taxi service” by busing open enrollment students to any district school of their choice. “Year-round” students at Warner Middle School and McKinley Elementary School meant that buses were running starting in mid-July. Drastic cuts in the district budget abruptly ended all of those services.

There are other significant factors that impact the transportation service of the Xenia Schools:

• · More than 100 students and families registered for school in the last week prior to the start of school meaning a redesign of many routes
• · 93 students and families chose the “school choice” option offered to them through the No Child Left Behind law (again, routes have to be redesigned)
• · Routes are generated by computer software, but must be physically driven to account for one-way streets and other complications
• · The district is short on bus drivers due to and lack of funding and the cut backs on pay and benefits. Drivers cannot afford to work for the district and have sought other employment.

The pressure to “get it right” is great. Under the stress of the job, the transportation supervisor and her assistant have both been transported by the medical squad to the hospital and are away from work due to health complications.

The Xenia Schools have cut $8.8 million over two years. This amount is equivalent to REAL CUTS of 20% in the budget. The tough economy has forced many families to make sizable cuts in their expenses, and the school district is no exception. These drastic cuts mean that nothing is going to be like it used to be.

Since the first day of school on August 24, the transportation staff, bus drivers, city police, and administration have been hard at work trying to remedy the issues. Routes are being updated daily. Times are being reduced and other efficiencies being built into the system. The schools are working with the police to ensure that buses are not delayed by traffic lights or congestion. The goal is to reduce the time on the bus for students. Administrators have fanned out across the district to monitor safety and to offer support.

Bus drivers have stepped up to ensure each child is on the correct bus, offered suggestions for more efficient service, and driven routes new to them with efficiency and safety. Many of them have done this in light of having their hours and benefits reduced. This is a step the district was forced to take in order to remain solvent. The district is striving to continue to serve the community in light of a major reduction of funding on the local, state, and federal levels. Buses are at near capacity, and while this is something that community has long requested as a matter to save money, the financial “pinch” is not comfortable for anyone.

We ask for your continued patience, we ask for your continued understanding when the bus driver pulls up and opens to door to the bus to have your child climb on or off the bus. These superb drivers have continued to serve our district while directly feeling the financial “pinch” a little more than other employees. They have continued to serve under very difficult circumstances.

I thank you for your continued support and understanding during financially difficult times.