Wicomico Recovery Plan 2020 -2021

67 Introduction: This document is a working draft intended to outline options for the safe transportation of as many students as possible, while observing current physical distancing guidelines, in order to serve and support the instructional needs of the school system. The options entailed in this document only speak to the general educational planning and not for students with disabilities. Due to the specialized transportation needs of those with disabilities, a more focused approach will need to be discussed via each student’s individualized educational plan (IEP) process. This document will evolve as more information is obtained from federal, state, and local health professionals with appropriate guidelines. Current WCPS Transportation Statistics: WCPS transportation services utilize 129 school buses assigned to daily routes and is provided using a hybrid model of service. This hybrid model consists of fifty (50) independent school bus contractors owning and operating 104 routed school buses and Wicomico County Board of Education owning and operating the remaining 25 routed school buses. There are another 27 school buses owned and operated by both entities of the hybrid model that are used for the sole purposes of providing assistance as spares for route coverage in the event of mechanical issues and extra and co-curricular transportation. • 111 regular routed buses (ranging from 66-72 passenger). • 17 handicap accessible routed buses • 13,542 students transported in 2019-20. • Average secondary load: 45 students per trip. • Average elementary load: 51 students per trip • 6ft physical distancing = appx. 8 students. • 1 student every other row = 12 students* (current CDC guidance). • 2 students every row = 22-24 students. * • *Fewer students on SPED buses (approx. ½ that of the general ed bus). Additionally, if students reside in the same household, they would be assigned a seat together to maximize capacity. Reopening Instructional Models Under Consideration The following tables identify the potential instructional models being considered within Wicomico County Public Schools. The intent of these projections is to assist decision-makers in evaluating the potential implications of transportation services with various instructional models. Each model below assumes physical distancing guidelines will be implemented for those transported at 12 (1 student every other row) or 22-24 students per bus (1 student per seat). These numbers could increase slightly if there were students being transported that resided in the same household. Those students would be seated together to maximize capacity and efficiency. Again, due to the specific nature of instruction that is provided to students with disabilities, special education instructional models are not included below.