Wicomico Recovery Plan 2020 -2021

68 RED MODEL: This model of instruction would have no impact on student transportation as all students would be participating in distance learning. YELLOWMODEL: This model would have an impact on student transportation operations. Considering that 80% of our eligible student population (10,656) were to opt into school bus transportation, with an A/B schedule rotation, 5328 students would need to be transported daily. With physical distancing adherence in place, 232 trips would need to be made with one student per seat. If following CDC guidelines of one student per row, 444 trips would need to be made daily. This would require additional resources that would not be available. GREEN MODEL: This model would have the same historical impact on student transportation as it has in the past years. The current cost for a regular school bus is approximately $110,000. Any additional routes would require drivers to be employed. As of this past school year, four (4) school bus contractors have surrendered contracts/routes due to the lack of available school bus drivers. An additional two school bus contracts remain uncommitted for the upcoming school year. It is the opinion of many transportation professionals that the national school bus driver shortage will only be worsen given the COVID-19 pandemic. Other Considerations: Plans for transporting students should be considered for the full 180-day time frame of the school year. Significant alterations in a transportation model mid-year would present considerable challenges to implementation. Given the variety of personal preferences and family dynamics, many families may choose not to use school bus transportation services. Therefore, a system for keeping track of which families will utilize school bus transportation services, and for which students and schools, will be critical in ensuring physical distancing and maximizing use of the fleet. This will better position the department for route planning with an expected reduced load capacity. In preparation for transporting students to schools either for small group instruction or services, and eventually for making transportation available for all eligible students in a hybrid or traditional school model, the WCPS Transportation Services Depar tment plans to be in contact with each family involved to determine the family’s intent to use school bus services during the 2020-2021 school year. Families will be asked to opt-in or opt-out for