Weare school officials are considering a plan to combine high school and elementary school students on the same buses, which would, in turn, change all school start times.

“We’re looking to reduce three buses, which (would save) $120,000 in Weare,” said Doug White, SAU 24 superintendent of schools.

According to White, in Weare, five buses currently transport students to the high school, and these buses are paid for by the Weare School District. Each bus costs approximately $40,000 each year, for a total of $200,000. Of that amount, John Stark reimburses Weare approximately $40,000 to $50,000, the distance from the middle school to the high school.

White said the John Stark Regional School District has an agreement with Weare and Henniker to provide transportation to high schoolers from the sending schools to the high school.

Currently, 10 middle school buses go out in the morning to get students to school for a 7:45 a.m. start time. Five additional buses go right behind those for the high school run, dropping off students for a 8:05 a.m. start time.

After the first 10 buses finish the middle school run, they go out again for the Center Woods run, gettng students to school for a 8:45 a.m. start.

“We’re trying to find a more efficient and effective way of moving children around the district,” said White. “Trying to provide (the current bus) services with a default budget is difficult.”

White said if the Weare School District were to eliminate three buses, high schoolers and elementary school kids would ride the same bus, and the school start times would change. The start times would be as follows:
• John Stark – 7:45 a.m.
• Center Woods – 8 a.m.
• Middle school – 8:35 a.m.

White said high schoolers would have to sit at the back of the bus, while elementary school kids sit at the front.

“For me, it’s not the ideal situation, but it provides the best opportunity to transport kids back and forth to school,” said White.

The district recently mailed out a survey to parents, asking how their child gets to and from school each day, and if high school and elementary school children were to be put on the same bus, would their child still ride the bus.

White said this plan could potentially go into effect for the 2009-10 school year.

“But no decision will be made until we have the opportunity to analyze data that’s come in on surveys,” said White.

Results of this survey will be discussed at a public meeting during the last week of May. More information will be sent home with students, and will also be posted online at www.sau24.org.