By revising a policy and changing start times for two buildings, Springfield Public Schools will be able to offer busing to 1,100 more students.
Currently, students in elementary, intermediate and K-8 schools have to live at least 1.5 miles from school to be eligible for busing.
The district wants to lower that to just 1 mile starting with the 2025-26 year.
“When we look at that many young students that are now going to become bus eligible, we think that’s a huge win for those families and the district,” said Travis Shaw, deputy superintendent of operations.
The change to policy EEA was proposed Tuesday to the school board, which is expected to vote on the change as early as Oct. 22. If approved, newly eligible families will be notified in the spring.
No eligibility change has been proposed for middle and high schools. Busing is offered to students who live 2.5 miles from those buildings.
Keith Adams, director of transportation, said slightly more than 10,000 students in SPS are eligible for busing and “and the number that ride is currently 7,973.”