The quadrants will determine what other schools a child could attend if the closest school is filled up, but also will help the district see a transportation savings of $1 million to $5 million annually, said James Harris, the district’s chief operating officer.
The district will not bus any child who lives in one quadrant to a school located in another quadrant with the exception of special education students, Ward said Monday during a meeting on the issue.
The no-busing-across-quadrants rule would include students who would attend the “district-wide” enrollment schools of Jackson Preschool Academy, Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy, Dayton Boys Prep Academy and River’s Edge Montessori.
Students currently choose what schools they attend. The proposed change would take effect in the 2011-12 school year if the school board approves it next January after a period of public input.
District officials believe creating attendance areas will lead to better academic performance, increased parental involvement, boost neighborhood pride and help reduce its $13 million transportation costs.
Harris said the transportation quadrants would allow the district to operate more efficiently with fewer buses.
The district currently transports children who live more than two miles from their school.
Under the quadrant proposal, a child who lives a half mile from school would be eligible for bus service, said Jill Moberley, district spokeswoman.
“A fair number who are now walking or being driven to school would be eligible to take the bus,” she said.
Community meetings about the attendance areas will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 and Nov. 15 in the Community Room of the district’s downtown headquarters, 115 S. Ludlow St.
Residents also may send comments or questions to attendanceareas@dps.k12.oh.us.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2094 or mkissell @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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