Findlay Schools describes what led to busing cut

FINDLAY — During the Findlay City Schools Board of Education meeting Monday, the district reviewed recent changes with transportation, outlining both the challenges the district has faced and steps being taken to restore busing in the future. Earlier this year, the board approved $6 million in budget reductions, including $821,000 in transportation savings that eliminated high school busing and limited K-8 transportation to students living outside of a two-mile radius from the district. Superintendent Andy Hatton acknowledged that while all the cuts were difficult, transportation was the most challenging for students and families. "We are still so grateful for this community that stepped up in May and helped support us by 66% of the vote," Hatton said. "The 1% earned income tax will help stabilize our budget and hopefully help us not only bring back much of what has been cut, but enhance what we do to ensure every student is learning, growing and maximizing their potential, so they are ready for life after high school." Hatton said the district was having conversations back in April on how to restore some level of busing once there was a clearer idea on finances. However, over the summer, the transportation department experienced turnover in key positions and the district's routing software had not been implemented to its full potential. Since then, Findlay City Schools has brought on a new router, dispatcher and operations director to work alongside administrators to help modernize its routing system. "It was and continues to be a monumental lift," Hatton said. "We've had mistakes that have led to deep frustrations, and I want to deeply apologize to the board and our families for that. But we've also had some tremendous success along the way." In the coming months, Hatton suggested that the board work with treasurer Pam Harrington to confirm finances, reach a consensus on a plan to restore transportation and for his team to begin developing options, no later than Aug. 25, that would restore high school busing, reduce the walk radius for K-5 to one mile to school, and a set a quarter mile radius to bus stops for families. Hatton said employing and retaining drivers remains the biggest challenge for the district, with two drivers recently resigning. He emphasized that while he believes FCS has the best drivers, onboarding new hires is a slow process. "If we recruit a great person and they do not have the required CDL, it can take four to six weeks to onboard a new driver," Hatton said. "If our forecast at fiscal health is solid, based on Mrs. Harrington's numbers, and if we agree on a plan, we will throw all of our efforts into hiring drivers to see what we can do for this year." Board members voiced support for prioritizing restoring transportation. "I don't think there's any board member, administrator or staff member that wanted to go to the two mile radius and no high school busing this year," president Matt Cooper said. "I would say with about 100% certainty that nobody wants it to look like that in the future." Opening the floor for public participation during the meeting, counselor and president of the Findlay Education Association Angela Dittman praised administrators and teachers who have stayed late during the first week of school to ensure students made it home safely. "With busing the way it is, there's no way people are getting out of work on time," Dittman said. "It's just not even a possibility right now. So the teachers that are staying late, I'm just so appreciative that they're doing that." Findlay High School has adjusted its drop-off and pick-up procedures in recent days to help ease traffic on Broad Avenue. Both the regular car lane and bus lane are open for families. Additionally, the school has installed a new flashing crosswalk light in front of campus to improve the safety of students walking to school.