What are the start and end times for the 2026-2027 school year?

• Full-Day
  • Elementary schools – 7:30am - 2:30pm
  • High school – 8:00am - 3:10pm
  • Early Learning centers – 8:40am - 3:40pm
  • Middle schools – 8:40am - 3:50pm
• Half-Day
  • Elementary schools – 7:30am - 10:45am
  • High school – 8:00am - 11:20am
  • Early Learning centers – 8:40am - 12:00pm
  • Middle schools – 8:40am - 12:00pm

 

Why are we switching to three different start and end times?

Currently, USD 383 operates on a 2-tier schedule: drivers complete two morning routes (one secondary and one elementary) and two afternoon routes (one secondary and one elementary). For several months, the district has been studying a 3-tier schedule, which would adjust school start and end times so that buses can complete up to three routes each morning and afternoon. This approach maximizes the drivers we have, improves efficiency, and better positions us to maintain reliable school transportation. Under a 3-tier system, middle and high school schedules would be staggered rather than aligned.

 

How did the committee determine what schedule to recommend to the Board?

The committee presented information to the Board of Education during their work session in late October. The majority of Board of Education members preferred that elementary schools begin first.

 

How did this conversation begin?

The idea was brought to the administration by a board member after seeing another large Kansas school district move to the same format to help with their transportation shortages.

3 tier start and end times had been on the Board of Education future agenda items list since March 5, 2025. 

 

How can I find child care?

Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan is offered at all 10 elementary school sites and after school care is available until 6:00pm. 

There are other child care options available in Manhattan-Ogden and can be found by searching online. Child Care Aware of Kansas has a database of licensed child care. 

 

Are Early Learning and Middle School students riding together on the same bus?

Early Learning students and middle school students will not be riding on the same bus. Our middle schools and early learning centers are paired together for transportation because middle school has the fewest transportation routes (there are 1,486 middle school students compared 2,907 elementary students and almost 2,000 high school students). Pairing early learning and middle school together allows the majority of drivers to have 3 routes.

 

Will breakfast be available at school?

Breakfast will continue to be available for students at all locations. Specific times for breakfast will be available this spring.

 

What time will doors open in the morning?

Elementary, middle and high school door opening times will be available this spring.

 

Will there be before school care?

No.

 

Could the district utilize coaches to drive buses?

Prior to each athletic season, the MHS, AMS, and EMS athletic directors talk with their coaches about obtaining a CDL to drive their team to events. Having a CDL is not a requirement to be a coach. Coaches would be paid while training for their CDL. Coaches would be paid at the rate that is designated in the Negotiated Agreement (ARTICLE XI, Section E).
 

What benefits do bus drivers receive?

USD 383 does provide benefits for drivers. All employees working 17.5 - 29 hours per week qualify as part-time and are a eligible for dental, vision, and auxiliary products. Employees working 30+ hours per week qualify as full-time and are eligible for health, dental, vision and auxiliary products. Bus drivers in training also get paid during training and the entire training process is paid for by the district.

 

Is this making the bus drivers have a heavier workload?

One of our biggest challenges in retaining transportation staff is our current system’s limitation in providing them with close to 40 hours of work each week. Under the proposed adjustments, most drivers would run three morning and afternoon routes instead of two, which would allow those who are interested to reach full‑time employment, as opposed to the current average of 30 hours. 

Through conversations with our Transportation Department, it became clear that increasing drivers’ weekly hours while simultaneously reducing overtime for office and maintenance staff who have been covering bus routes is a key priority.

 

Could USD 383 utilize business partners to drive a bus?

Bus drivers must complete an extensive training process before they are qualified to drive. They are required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with both Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements, which include written knowledge tests and a road skills test administered through the Kansas Department of Revenue. Without this license and these endorsements, an individual is not permitted to operate a school bus.

 

Could a parent drive a bus to a sporting event?

Yes, but the parent must have a current CDL with a P and S endorsement.

 

Could USD 383 pay employees on a bi-weekly basis?

USD 383 is switching to new accounting software in the spring of 2026. Bi-weekly payroll is something that we are working toward and hope to have that available for all employees starting with the 2026-2027 school year.
 

What has the district done to hire and retain more bus drivers?

The district has implemented a wide range of recruitment strategies to attract more bus drivers. Job openings are consistently promoted on the USD 383 website and through targeted social media advertising. A district bus with a large “Now Hiring” banner has been stationed at various high‑visibility locations throughout the community, and additional hiring banners have been placed on school fences across the district. USD 383 has also hosted a “Be a Bus Driver” event to give potential applicants a hands‑on opportunity to learn about the role. Our Recruitment and Retention Specialist regularly attends local job fairs to connect with candidates, and the district has utilized the “Locate Lara” video series to highlight the importance of school transportation and encourage applications. Transportation staff have been offered incentives to support hiring efforts, and radio ads have been added to further expand community outreach. Transportation offers safety and attendance bonuses, flexible scheduling, and options to allow drivers with children to ride the bus with their parent. 

 

How many activities, athletics, and/or field trips were taken during the 2024-2025 school year?

541 activity, athletic and/or field trips were taken last school year. That is 541 trips in addition to the regular to and from school transportation routes.