As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we would like to share a few important transportation changes for elementary families who will have children in kindergarten through grade 5 beginning in September.
We are thrilled to be expanding our K-5 transportation service thanks to our community’s overwhelming support of Proposition 2 in last month’s budget vote. All K-5 students living one mile or more from school will now be eligible for a bus (all K-12 students with an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan that requires specialized transportation will continue to get a bus regardless of their distance from school).
Previously, our eligibility limit for K-5 transportation was 1.5 miles; that threshold will stay the same for grades 6-12.
This expanded eligibility threshold will apply to all K-5 students attending district, charter, private and parochial schools in ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ. The expansion is designed to improve student safety and daily attendance.
New application required for all K-5 families
To facilitate this expansion and allow us to implement our new routes effectively for next school year, all K-5 families are required to submit a new transportation application (except those receiving special education services).
The district will not automatically roll over transportation service for current bus-eligible elementary students who will live at the same location and will attend the same school in the fall.
- You DO NOT need to submit a new application for 2026-27 if your student will be in grades 6-12 next school year, or if your student will be in grades K-5 and has an IEP or 504 Plan that requires specialized transportation.
Given the increase in service the district is providing, it is important that we receive the most accurate and up-to-date information from the families of all eligible students, including home addresses, school assignments and contact information.
Also, with the addition of approximately 500 more elementary students riding yellow buses next school year, we also will be adjusting pickup and dropoff locations. We will be adding 11 new buses to accommodate our expansion, but students still may have to walk a block or two farther to get to or from their assigned stop.
This will allow us to make sure our buses continue to run efficiently and on-time with the increased ridership.
Application deadline – Aug. 3
The deadline to submit an application to assure your child will be assigned to a bus for the first day of school is Monday, Aug. 3 by the close of business.
If we receive your application after that, we will do our best to accommodate your request for the first day of school on Friday, Sept. 4, but we cannot guarantee a bus assignment before Wednesday, Sept. 16.
You can submit an application online or in-person at our Harriet Gibbons Student Services Center, 75 Watervliet Ave.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, deadlines or transportation eligibility requirements, please give our Transportation Department a call at (518) 475-6170.
As we continue our efforts to enhance student safety and transportation services throughout the district, we appreciate your cooperation and partnership as we plan for a successful 2026-27 school year and this exciting expansion of our K-5 transportation services.