According to the National
Transportation and Safety Administration (NTSA) and the American School
Bus Council, school bus transportation is the safest form of land
transportation in the nation. (See http://www.schoolbusfacts.com/.) Each
school day South Madison Community School Corporation operates thirty
regular education routes and eight special education routes. Most of
these routes are double runs, including a middle school/high school run
followed by an elementary run. These buses travel nearly 3,000 round
trip miles daily while transporting approximately 3,000 students. Of the
thirty regular education routes, eight are privately contracted and
twenty-two are owned and operated by the school corporation.
The
South Madison Schools transportation department mission is to safely
transport students to and from school in a respectful and caring
environment. Our 38 route drivers, 8 special education aides, and all
substitute drivers understand and support that mission. During the first
few weeks of school we would ask for your patience and understanding as
we get all new students assigned to buses, and drivers and aides get to
know their students and stops. If possible, please wait until after
August 31 to ask for any changes in routes or stops. We are always
interested in any suggestions that will improve the safety or efficiency
of our routes and/or stops.
Our primary need from parents early in
the year is to assist us with training your students to obey the bus
rider rules and responsibilities so that everyone arrives safely at
school or home. Also, please have your students ready and waiting at
their bus stops well before the bus arrives in the morning. We encourage
you to get to know your bus driver and to communicate with him/her
regularly concerning your child.
Points of Interest:
- The annual transportation and bus replacement budgets total more than $2,000,000.
- During the school year, corporation buses use over 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel per month.
- The school district spends over $400,000 per year for special education transportation.
- The district paid $353,334 for owner-operator (contracted) routes this past year.
- District buses travel over 500,000 miles per year on daily student routes.
- The eight special education buses travel over 150,000 miles per year.
- District buses travel over 50,000 miles per year for field trips and athletic events.
- The district boundaries include the
three south Madison County townships of Adams, Green, and Fall Creek,
totaling approximately 100 square miles.
For more information about the
Transportation Department, or for specific bus route information,
contact Candy Stewart, Director of Transportation, at (765) 778.2152
Ext. 1016.