Transportation
April 29, 2008
Our transportation operation works well, due in large part to our transportation director, Sandy Thompson. She has served our district for twenty years.
Using nine busses, we transport 603 regular education students before and after school each day. Students qualify for bus transportation based on specific guidelines. The starting time for our schools varies to allow for the pick-up of junior high students and double elementary routes. We also transport 29 students with special needs using a special education bus. The first bus leaves at 6:30 a.m. and the other routes start from 6:55 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Our regular bus routes average 1900 miles a week. Extra-curricular activities and field trips also require buses. Since August, we have logged almost 19,055 miles for these types of activities.
Each building has a specific area are designated for buses to load and unload students. Please do not use these designated areas during school hours. The capacity of a bus is determined by the manufacturer; three students per seat. We make adjustments to routes and do what is necessary to stay within capacity. Our buses are equipped with short-wave radio systems ensuring instant communication.
Rules for riding the bus have been established by the Nebraska Department of Education and the Gering Public Schools Board of Education. These rules are given to each child/parent prior to receiving a bus pass. Riding the bus is a privilege and this privilege may be lost if a student does not follow these rules. Students optioning to our district are not eligible to ride the bus.
If you are interested in a rewarding career as a route or activities driver, please call our transportation director, Sandy Thompson, at 436-2754 for information.
