At a special board meeting held on Monday, May 12, 2025, the Board of Education unanimously approved the transportation policy recommendations put forth by the transportation subcommittee. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year:

Elementary Students (Grades K-5)
Any elementary student who resides within 2 miles of their school will no longer receive free bus transportation. These families may opt-in for round trip bus service by paying an annual family fee of $250.

Bus service will continue at no cost for:

1. Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act.
2. Students whose current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requires special transportation as a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
3. Students who attend a licensed day care facility in the district with other students from the same elementary school.

Other changes for elementary students:

1. Parents will be allowed to drop their students at their respective school by 8:15 a.m. (current time is 8:25 a.m.).
2. Crossing guards will be utilized for students wishing to walk or ride bikes to Auburn, Farley, Indian Hills, Pauline Central, and Pauline South elementary schools. Bike racks will be utilized at those schools.
3. All other elementary schools will still remain off limits to walking and riding bikes until further infrastructure can be constructed.
4. Families must sign up for bus service by July 15 for the school year. Payment is due at the time of sign-up. This will reserve a student's place on their bus.
5. Neighborhood and centralized bus stops will be utilized when possible. Licensed daycares with multiple students, kindergarten and first grade students will have priority for stops.
6. All elementary schools have licensed before and after school programs that have additional openings for parents who want to utilize that option. Parents should reach out to their schools for additional information.

Secondary Students (Grades 6-12)
Any secondary student who resides within 2 miles of these schools will no longer receive free bus transportation. Families may opt-in for after-school bus service for an annual family fee of $125.

Bus service for any student under 2 miles will continue at no cost for:

1. Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act.
2. Students whose current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requires special transportation as a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Other changes for secondary students at all schools:

1. Parents will be allowed to drop their students at their respective school by 7:15 a.m. (current time is 7:25 a.m.).
2. Families must sign up for bus service by July 15 for the school year. Payment is due at the time of sign-up. This will reserve a student's place on their bus.
3. Neighborhood and centralized bus stops will be utilized when possible.
4. Before and after school programs are being explored for students at both middle schools. More information will be out soon regarding these potential programs.

Early Childhood Education
There are no changes proposed to early childhood transportation at this time.

Additional Information

1. Families shall designate one location (that may or may not be their residence) for purposes of bus transportation.
2. Families with both a secondary student and elementary student will pay one family fee of $250 for all students in their household.
3. State law requires school districts to transport all students residing more than 2.5 miles from their school. The State of Kansas, as part of the school finance formula, reimburses our school district approximately $550 per student for students living over 2.5 miles from their school. No reimbursement for under 2.5 miles.
4. Out of district families will pay an annual fee of $300 for round trip bus service (elementary) and $150 for after-school bus service (secondary).
5. It is the responsibility of parents to determine if their student can safely walk or ride a bike to school.
6. Bus driver and paraprofessional compensation will be reviewed for the purpose of recruiting more drivers, substitute drivers, and paraprofessionals on buses requiring supervision.
7. Any fees collected for transportation purposes will be utilized for transportation needs such as crossing guards, crosswalks, adjustments to compensation, and infrastructure needs such as sidewalks and bike racks.

Families residing within 2 miles of their school will receive notification by both email and U.S. mail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this change taking place?
A: Auburn-Washburn continues to face challenges due to an ongoing bus driver shortage. Please review this slide deck for information about why this change is necessary.

Q: How was 2.0 miles chosen?
A: Under Kansas law, public school districts receive state reimbursement for transporting students who live more than 2.5 miles from their school. The distance is calculated by Kansas State Department of Education auditors using the most direct route from the front door of the student's residence to the front door of the school. For the 2024-2025 school year, the per-pupil reimbursement rate for Auburn-Washburn was approximately $550. School districts do not receive funding for students who live less than 2.5 miles from their school. The initial proposal put forth by the transportation subcommittee was 2.5 miles to align with state reimbursement laws. Based on community feedback, the radius was decreased to 2.0 miles.

Q: My student lives more than 2.0 miles from their school. Will they be eligible for bus transportation?
A: Yes. Students in all grade levels residing more than 2.0 miles from their school will continue to receive free bus transportation.

Q: My student lives less than 2.0 miles from their school. Will they be eligible for bus transportation?
A: Your student is no longer eligible to receive free bus transportation, unless they meet the following exceptions:

• Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act.
• Students whose current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requires special transportation as a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Students who attend a licensed day care facility in the district with other students from the same elementary school.

Any elementary student (grades K-5) who resides within 2.0 miles of their school may opt-in to receive bus service for an annual family fee of $250. Any secondary student (grades 6-12) who resides less than 2.0 miles from their school may opt-in to receive after-school only bus service for an annual family fee of $125. Families with both a secondary student and an elementary student will pay one family fee of $250.

Q: How will these policy changes impact early childhood?
A: There are no changes proposed to early childhood transportation at this time. Additional questions may be directed to Director of Early Childhood Education Loralea Hubert.

Q: Will you continue to provide transportation to out-of-district students?
A: Out-of-district elementary families may opt-in to receive bus transportation for an annual family fee of $300. Out-of-district secondary families may opt-in to receive bus transportation for an annual family fee of $150. The transportation department will choose a pick-up and drop-off location within the district.

Q: What is the district doing to ensure safe routes for students?
A: To ensure safe routes for students who will no longer receive bus service, the district has engaged external experts to conduct a Safe Routes to Schools Survey. Findings will be reviewed with city and county officials, and recommendations on appropriate safety measures, such as crosswalks and crossing guards, will be implemented before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Q: What before and after school care options are available for students?
A: Through community partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka and Susanna Wesley, all elementary school buildings offer a before and after school program. There is capacity to accommodate additional students at each location.

Q: Will the district help facilitate carpooling?
A: While the district does not directly coordinate carpool services, we encourage families to work together and connect with others in their school community to explore carpooling options.

Q: How is the 2.0-mile travel distance determined?
A: Distance is calculated based on the most traveled road route from the student's residence to their designated school. Please contact the transportation department at (785) 339-4050 if you have questions about your specific address.

Q: What will the transportation fees be used for?
A: Any fees collected for transportation purposes will be utilized for transportation needs, such as crossing guards, crosswalks, and infrastructure needs such as sidewalks and bike racks. In addition, bus driver and paraprofessional compensation will be reviewed for the purpose of recruiting more drivers, substitute drivers, and paraprofessionals on buses requiring supervision.

Q: What is the deadline for signing up for bus service?
A: Families must register for bus service by July 15. Payment is due at time of registration.