Fort Wayne Community Schools’ students and parents can expect fewer bus routes and changing school hours starting in the fall. The FWCS Board voted unanimously Monday to begin a new transportation plan that will save the district $2.5 million.
The plan was necessary to address a gap in the district's transportation budget due to state property tax caps that reduced the amount of money FWCS could raise.
Starting in the fall of 2015, the district will enforce the existing rule of “no transportation zones,” meaning students within close proximity of their schools won’t be offered transportation. Neither will students who choose to attend a school they aren’t zoned for.
School hours are also changing. Middle schools will start at 7:20, elementary schools at 8:20, and high schools at 9 a.m.
The district will distribute letters to parents Tuesday to inform them of their child's transportation options.
Students accepted into magnet schools and special high school programs will still receive transportation.