Schools

Recently Approved Cuts to Bus Routes Draws Reaction from Woodbury Parents

Students at South Washington County high schools would have to walk up to 2 miles under the current proposal, approved by the school board late last month.

District 833 last month approved the "Hybrid" budget option, which increases the classroom teacher staffing ratio by one student, increases walking distances for middle schools from 1 to 1.5 miles and the high schools from 1.5 to 2 miles, and reduces district support services staff by the equivalent four full-time jobs.

Superintendent Keith Jacobus told the board that the Hybrid option, which helped trim about $2 million from the district budget, responded to feedback received from community and staff throughout the service level process.

But what’s concerning local parents have expressed concerns about walking distances. The more than mile-long walk is raising eyebrows, according to a story reported by KSTP.com Tuesday, April 2. And for high school freshmen without transportation and who are below the driving age, two miles is probably a 30-minute hike, parents said. 

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Still, district officials said the cuts in bus routes would take four vehicles off the road, at a savings of nearly $150,000 per year.

More information and background documents on the service level process are available on the district’s website here.

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