In April new rules were adopted that meant students who lived within a five mile radius of their campus didn't receive bus service. 15 bus drivers were laid-off and three vacant positions were eliminated.
Students, parents and school officials are invited to attend any of the five town hall meetings that will be held this month -- including one Tuesday night.
The meeting will be at Buhach Colony High School at 6:30 pm.
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High school district seeks input on busing
A series of town hall meetings are being planned for later this month. Students, their parents and school officials will be able to discuss new transportation rules for the Merced Union High School District.
MUHSD trustees in April adopted new rules that stated students must live more than five miles from a campus to receive bus service.
Sessions are scheduled Tuesday at Buhach Colony High School; June 18 at Golden Valley High School; June 20 at East Campus Educational Center; June 21 at Atwater High School and June 28 at Merced High School.
All meetings start at 6:30 p.m.
Leonard Kahn, assistant superintendent for business services, said proposed town hall agendas will include discussion of current state and district finances, cuts in transportation funding, new routes, and establishing student-parent committees for input on proposed routes.
Superintendent Scott Scambray hoped parents would take advantage of the sessions and give the district some ideas on bus pickup locations.
About 880 students are eligible for bus service, but only about half that number are expected to use the service, Scambray said.
Kahn said it is hoped parents will be able to ride on district buses and pinpoint ideal drop-off locations. The district is researching the possibility of a proposed carpool bulletin board providing rideshare information.
Follow-up meetings also may be held later at each school site, Kahn said.