Sequim school leaders are interested in a proposal to adopt a two-tier busing system, but board directors are taking a measured approach as they seek information from students, parents and staff.

Sequim schools superintendent Regan Nickels and transporation director Don Hall at a Dec. 14 study session outlined a plan to shift Sequim’s student busing from one set of routes and drop-offs to two, most likely shifting school hours for secondary (middle and high school) students to an hour later in the day.

Nickels said at the time she and administrators wanted to give board directors an overview of what a two-tier system could look like and see if they wanted to get more information to consider such an approach.

At their Jan. 8 meeting, Sequim School Board directors agreed to have staff get more information about a possible change, but expressed some reservations and are seeking more information from parents, students and staff about potential impacts.

Board president Eric Pickens said he’d like to see an overview of impacts, benefits and costs.

“All of those questions need to be answered,” he said.

The two-tier system Hall detailed in mid-December would have implementation at its earliest in the fall of 2024, Nickels said.

About the shift

The current, single-run system funnels bus runs through the parking lot at the school district’s stadium on West Fir Street located between Sequim High School and Helen Haller Elementary School.

That system, Hall noted, puts student bus riders, elementary through middle and high school grades in one spot with a lot of pedestrian traffic, while Greywolf Elementary in Carlsborg also sees crowded pickup and drop off times.

A two-tiered system would see a set of Sequim buses pick up students on the east side of Sequim and another on the west and make stops at both elementary schools, then do a second run to transport secondary students students to school.

The proposed system, Hall said in December, could instead utilize bus “ramps” already built into each school campus: Helen Haller has a lane between the main parking lot and its buildings; Greywolf has one on each end of the front parking lot (and a third lane possible going to the back of the school); Sequim Middle School has two lanes, one circling the front parking lot and a second between the gymnasium and West Hendrickson Road; and Sequim High school has a lane between the main lot of North Sequim Avenue and the campus.

“Part of what this (proposed two-tier plan) is doing is dropping the kids right off at school,” Hall said at the study session.

The two-tier system could then use the stadium parking lot for parent drop-off and pick-up for Helen Haller Elementary students. Greywolf parents could use either the north or south end of the main lot not being used as a bus lane, Hall said, or use the lane that goes to the back of the school — though that may be problematic with it being located between the school and its playground.

Benefits, drawbacks

Among the benefits of a two-tiered system, Hall said in December, are: safer pick-ups and drop-offs at each school; improved sleep patterns for secondary students with a later start; increasing elementary-age ridership; reduction in tardiness; improved student behavior on buses, and fewer buses on the road (from about 18 to 14 for each run).

The shift would keep students in the younger grades together and secondary students together, rather than the current system that puts the district’s youngest and oldest students on the same bus rides.

He also said having fewer buses on the road helps with the struggle to find bus drivers.

Nickels also noted an updated plan will likely help more students get to school and be on time.

“Our district right now is challenged… with attendance statistics,” she said in December, and reiterated at the January meeting: “Our attendance rates are not where they should be, (though) we’re not alone; this is happening across the nation.”

The change to a two-tier system could result in some negatives, Hall said, including: some longer individual routes; increase in fuel costs (mitigated somewhat by likely fewer maintenance issues); early dismissal for secondary students from their final classes, and childcare issues for elementary students.

Hall said that districts on such systems have had to find solutions for student-athletes having to leave for events before the later bell; some have mandated classes late in the day that are not “core” classes.

Change considerations

Having the secondary students start later, Nickels said, is based on research that indicates the older students’ academic success is affected more by “wake up time” rather than younger students’ success, which is affected more by their “bed time.”

Nickels said at the Jan. 8 meeting that there is flexibility in a two-tier plan, and that it could be younger students who start later, but that research indicates it’s older students who benefit more from later starts.

Board director Patrice Johnston said there are a number of other factors to consider when making a change, including impact to afterschool activities and for older students who look after younger ones at home.

“In an ideal world older kids would start school late,” Johnston said, “because I do think research bears that out.”

Nickels said at the Jan. 8 meet that she’s heard from students that a later start time could have a negative impact on those who have afterschool jobs.

“Even if it’s a half an hour (later,) it could be an issue,” she said.

Board director Maren Halvorsen said she is particularly interested in hearing from staff about the impact of changing the busing plan.

“I know when I taught, my class at 8:30 (a.m.) was more sleepy than my class at 9:30 (a.m.),” she said. “It was a lot more fun to teach the later class.”

Pickens said that, in addition to helping with attendance and student health issues, a two-tiered system could present more opportunities, such as afterschool supplemental programs for elementary school-aged youths.

“There’s a lot to factor in,” Johnston said. “I’m glad we’re kind of taking our time with this.”

The next Sequim School Board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, and is also available via livestream. See sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3260 for more information.