The March Route Report: Time to Plan Ahead for Summer School
Welcome to the March Edition of The Route Report, SBL’s monthly recommendations to keep your routing department on track. This month: summer school prep.
March is here, and while the regular school year is still in full swing, now is the time to start preparing for summer school. A well-planned approach ensures smoother operations, fewer last-minute headaches, and a better experience for students, staff, and families.
This month, we’re breaking down what both district administrators and routers should focus on to set summer school transportation up for success.
For School Districts: Build a Proactive Summer School Plan
The earlier summer school logistics are mapped out, the easier it is to anticipate challenges and keep operations running smoothly. Here’s where to focus:
Confirm Which Buildings Will Be Used: Determine where summer classes will take place to help routers plan accordingly.
Update IEPs for ESY Students: Ensure that all students needing Extended School Year (ESY) services have updated transportation notes.
Involve Transportation in Planning Meetings: Keep routing staff in the loop early to avoid conflicts and unexpected challenges.
Set Cutoff Dates for Enrollment: Even though late enrollments are common, defining a cutoff can help manage capacity and avoid major disruptions.
Estimate Attendance Numbers: The more accurate your projections, the easier it is to plan efficient routes.
Review Budget Allowances: Determine funding sources, whether through grants or paid ridership, to align transportation plans with financial resources.
For Routers: Get Ahead of the Curve
Summer school routing can be unpredictable, but staying proactive now will make last-minute changes easier to handle. Here’s how to stay ahead:
Identify Which Programs Need Transportation: Confirm which summer programs require busing to allocate resources effectively.
Lock in Key Dates: Know the start and end dates for each program to align routing timelines.
Clarify Routing Deadlines: Determine when route and transportation details need to be finalized for district communication.
Plan for Late Enrollees: Summer school enrollments are often delayed — build flexibility into routing plans to accommodate last-minute additions.
Create a Summer School Database: Start organizing and cleaning up student data now so you're ready to route as soon as enrollment numbers are available.
Stay Tuned for Next Month’s Route Report
We hope these insights help you get a head start on summer school planning. Stay tuned for next month’s edition, where we’ll dive into more seasonal strategies to keep your transportation department running smoothly!
Need support in accomplishing your school-start tasks? Reach out today!
This Month’s Contributors
ROUTE LOGISTICS ANALYST
Deana Wesolowski
ROUTE LOGISTICS CONSULTANT
Kathy Cuff
ROUTE LOGISTICS CONSULTANT