To gauge parent opinion about solutions that have worked elsewhere, Katy ISD released a survey asking community members their preferences on possible bus route and start time changes at elementary and secondary campuses. The results of that Transportation Sustainability Survey were released in early February.

Survey results revealed that parents preferred options with school bus coverage for the greatest number of students, either staying with the current start times, half-mile elementary radius and one-mile secondary radius or changing to a multi-bell schedule for elementary schools.

The key reason for the survey and discussion of transportation options revolves around sustaining the district’s current level of transportation coverage.

“With ongoing community growth and development spurring a nearly 3,000-student annual increase in enrollment, Katy ISD’s student transportation system is facing mounting pressure due to the lack of driver availability,” a district press release stated.

This goal of sustainability requires 30 new bus drivers each year in an industry facing hiring challenges nationwide. In recent years, the district has focused on financial incentives in attempting to attract and retain bus drivers, as well as improving overall work environment.

“In an effort to address the bus driver shortage in Katy, the District has conducted quarterly job fairs, raised the bus driver pay this year by $2.50 per hour, begun to air condition existing route buses and established a perfect attendance bonus,” Katy ISD spokesperson Denisse Cantu said.

District Transportation Dept. officials are exploring two main options: limiting school bus coverage to a 2-mile turn-by-turn radius at all schools or staggering start times according to various options.

Each option divides elementary schools into three groups, each with a different start time. Junior high and high school start times also shift with each option shown on the survey (complete list of district-suggested options located in the accompanying table).

A majority of respondents, 61 percent, prefer to implement whatever changes the School Board decides for the 2015-16 school year, but the Board of Trustees has not determined a date when they will address possible changes.

“It is anticipated that the Board of Trustees will provide additional direction on this matter later this year,” Cantu said.