Heil Harvesting, Ulysses KS/Limon CO | Work in some very rural areas in E NM, E CO.
I believe bus systems are mandated, some runs as far as 60 miles, those runs have the fewest kids. Lots of schools have gone to 4 day weeks. Not because they have to keep the lights on fewer days, but because they do not have to run the bus routes every day. Transportation is a huge cost.
I was FORCED to ride the bus, even in high school-if I had practice and some one was going to be in town, they picked me up. I drove maybe 25% of the time. I was embarrassed. In hindsight it was great--mom and dad paid the taxes, as well as the neighbors, so it was going to get used. My route had 10 kids, average day had 4 riders or so, some days none. Farthest house was 35 miles from the school. Cost per occupant was huge, but if you are going to have a driver and a bus and run the miles, it does not matter how many occupants. The cost has to covered, whether a private contractor owns the bus system or the school system does (in W KS MOST districts own their own bus system).
I see this as a major challenge in rural areas, especially as schools out here continue to consolidate. There get to be some HUGE districts that still have the smallest attendance.
If you can find an answer--I am sure there are LOTS of school boards that are more than willing to listen... |
rural school question
