2010-2011 Transportation

Dear Royal Oak School District Parents,

At the February 11, 2010 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved a recommendation that all General Education transportation be eliminated beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.

The recommendation by the Administration and adoption by the Board of Education was an extremely difficult decision.  The issue of reducing or eliminating transportation has been an issue under review for several years.  Substantial reductions in High School transportation occurred last year.

As the condition of State school finances rapidly deteriorated this year and the projected shortfalls for next year grew substantially, the District was faced with stark and unpleasant choices.  Significant budget cuts were needed.  The size of these reductions required a choice, either fundamental changes in the amount of support service and how they are delivered, or reduction, elimination or alteration of the core instructional programs and services which the Royal Oak Community has come to expect.

Discussion with PTA groups has been ongoing regarding the possible loss of transportation services.  While unwelcome there has been reluctant acceptance of the necessity of this action.

The District will be engaging PTA's and School Administrators at all levels in discussions on how we can develop Parent resources to enable ride sharing and connecting students, so they can walk or ride bikes to school together.

We encourage you to let your school office know if you are interested in being advised of these resources as they develop.

Sincerely,

G. Anders Linell
Executive Director