PRESCOTT – Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, Prescott School District chose to reduce in-town bus routes from four to two. The Prescott School Board will consider adding bus routes back at its July meeting, but wants community input.

Director of Transportation Tim Rundquist is poised to begin creating bus routes for next school year. In order to do so, the school board will need to make a decision by July, so Rundquist has time to communicate the routes to families and time them, to make sure kids can get to school on time.

While the number of bus routes in town decreased, more buses were added to country routes, which allowed the district to have less students on each bus. This made social distancing easier and allowed the buses to “de-densify,” Superintendent Dr. Rick Spicuzza said. It also reduced the time students spent on buses. This was not a cost-saving measure; it was put into place for COVID reasons.

However, the district has a new challenge: Finding qualified bus drivers.

“Finding drivers has been difficult,” Spicuzza said.

Two bus drivers are retiring, one is leaving due to outside circumstances, and two more substitute drivers are needed. The district needs to hire five drivers to get back “to a full deck,” Spicuzza said.

In-town routes do not receive reimbursement aid from the state, Spicuzza said, while rural routes do. According to the Department of Public Instruction, PSD is eligible for just over $55,000 total transportation aid for 2020-21 school year.

River Falls School District reduced its number of in-town routes, and plans to keep it that way, Spicuzza said. Ellsworth and St. Croix Central made no changes, while Baldwin-Woodville eliminated 45 bus stops but may bring back 10 of those.

Rundquist said he has had one direct inquiry about bringing back routes. Spicuzza said he has received a couple of emails.

“It has not been a large request at this time from the community,” Spicuzza said.

Board member Pat Block said having bussing available for everyone is very important to him.

“Especially our younger ages,” Block said. “It comes to student safety. It provides parents the flexibility to do what they got to do to support their families.”

Board member Tanya Holub said she’s had people ask her if routes would be brought back. She would like to see routes available to all daycares in town. Plus, she said, some kids in town have to walk more than 1.5 miles, which is too far in the winter or in the dark.

Board Vice President Steve Sizemore suggested paid or volunteer crossing guards to make conditions safer for those walking. He also questioned what it would take to make finding bus drivers easier.

Board member Vicki Rudolph the district told parents the bus route change was temporary due to COVID, so options need to be considered carefully.

To give input on in-town bus routes, contact Spicuzza at [email protected] or Rundquist at [email protected] or 715-262-3212.