DPS chief on busing plan: Scary, but ‘we have to do something’

RELATED: Dayton schools consider dramatic busing changes

Corr and Assistant Superintendent Shelia Burton spelled out five steps the district is taking or researching to solve its busing problems – from the middle school plan, to changing school start times and more.

“Change is always scary, no matter what we do. But we have to do something,” Corr said. “We don’t have the drivers needed in order to properly and respectfully transport your children. We’re trying to recruit, we’re trying to do everything we can, and nothing has worked as of yet.”

RELATED: DPS teachers rally as negotiations drag on

Burton said the biggest issue is not having the 175 drivers needed to handle current ridership needs. The shortage is made worse by an average of 20 drivers a day being off due to illness or other reasons.

Two women asked Corr what the school district would do with the millions of dollars the district could save by reducing ridership.

She said some of that money would go to pay for the 115 buses the district just committed to purchasing. But she repeatedly said some financial issues remained up in the air because the district is in the midst of contract talks with multiple unions.

RELATED: Parents angry with DPS busing woes

EARLIER STORY

The first of four community meetings with Dayton Public Schools Superintendent Rhonda Corr will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at E.J. Brown Middle School, at 31 Willowwood Drive, just off North Main Street.

Corr called the meetings to discuss a range of issues, but two of the hottest topics are expected to be a proposed change in busing and school start times for next school year.

Three of the biggest changes the district proposed last week were having seventh- and eighth-graders ride RTA rather than Dayton Public Schools buses; changing the start times of some schools, to a three-tier schedule, with schools starting at 7:15, 8:15 and 9:15; and requiring students who attend a DPS school outside their city quadrant to transport themselves.

Corr will also discuss academic offerings. DPS is launching its own online school, increasing the number of career technology courses available in all high schools, and considering creation of a “newcomers’ academy” to focus on the needs of an influx of immigrants, many of whom don’t speak English.

All four meetings will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with the second one scheduled Thursday at Wogaman Middle School, 920 McArthur Ave. (corner of McArthur and Germantown). The last two meetings are Monday at Kiser PreK-6 School and next Wednesday at Belmont High School.