NEWTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS School Transportation Efficiency

NEWTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School Transportation Efficiency Study and Later High School Start Time Analysis

May 28, 2019

Public Management Associates, LLC 47 Bigwood Drive Westfield, MA 01085

1 NEWTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School Transportation Efficiency

INTRODUCTION

This study was conducted pursuant to the following objectives: 1. Determine the Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Current Transportation Operation with Recommendations for Improvement 2. Review Various Alternatives for a Later Start Time for the High Schools based upon the following goals:  Start the High Schools at 8:30 a.m.  Minimize any Elementary and Middle School Schedule Changes  Maintain the Current Length of School Day for K-8 schools and as proposed for the High Schools  Minimize Traffic Congestion at the District Schools During Drop Off and Pick Up Times  Minimize Student Time on Vehicles with Convenient Bus Stops  Be Cost Neutral

The scope of work included the following activities: 1. Review and analysis of the current regular and special education transportation and related contracts, including METCO and private school transportation. 2. Identification of any current regular transportation related issues or problems, including the review of current school transportation policies. 3. Review of your most recent bid specifications and contract(s) and recommendations for improvement, if applicable. 4. Review opportunities for multi district routing and scheduling and cost sharing. 5. Review of the current school transportation routes, with recommendations for increased efficiencies, if applicable. 6. Review of District requirements, including District redistricting plans and start time shifting, for the FY ’2019+ time period and resultant effect on school transportation efficiencies and costs. Provide two to four bell schedule tier change options which would allow both high schools to start at approximately 8:30 a.m. Alternative school groupings will be investigated and considered. 7. Identify possible cost impact by route/vehicle consolidation, bell schedule revisions and/or transportation tier reconfiguration. Identify at least one cost neutral option, if possible and feasible.

2 8. Assistance in contract negotiation relative to increases/reductions in the number of buses required throughout the contract.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Newton is a suburban city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is approximately 7 miles (11 km) west of downtown Boston and is bordered by Boston's Brighton and West Roxbury neighborhoods to the east and south, respectively, and by the suburb of Brookline to the east, the suburbs of Watertown and Waltham to the north, and Weston, Wellesley and Needham to the west. Rather than having a single city center, Newton resembles a patchwork of thirteen villages. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.

From Watertown to Waltham to Needham and Dedham, Newton is bounded by the Charles River. The Yankee Division Highway, designated Interstate 95 but known to the locals as Route 128, follows the Charles from Waltham to Dedham, creating a de facto land barrier. The portion of Needham which lies east of 128 and west of the Charles, known as the Needham Industrial Park has become part of a Newton commercial zone and contributes to its heavy traffic, though the tax revenue goes to Needham.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.2 square miles, of which 18.0 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles (0.82%) is water.

Rather than having a single city center, Newton is a patchwork of thirteen villages, many boasting small downtown areas of their own. The 13 villages are: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls (both on the Charles River, and both former small industrial sites), Newtonville, Nonantum (also called "The Lake"), Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Waban and West Newton. Oak Hill Park is a place within the village of Oak Hill.

Although most of the villages have a post office, they have no legal definition and no firmly defined borders. This village-based system often causes some confusion with addresses and for first time visitors.

As of the census of 2010, there were 85,146 people, 32,648 households, and 20,499 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,643.6 people per square mile. There were 32,112 housing units at an average density of 1,778.8 per square mile.

Newton's proximity to Boston, along with its good public schools and safe and quiet neighborhoods make it a very desirable community for those who commute to Boston or work in Newton's businesses and industries.

Newton is well-served by three modes of mass transit run by the MBTA: light rail, commuter rail, and bus service. The Green Line "D" Branch, (also known as the Riverside branch) is a light rail line running through the center of the city that makes very frequent trips to downtown Boston, ranging from 10 to 30 minutes away. The Green Line "B" Branch ends across from

3 Boston College on Commonwealth Avenue, virtually at the border of Boston's Brighton neighborhood and the City of Newton (an area which encompasses an unincorporated suburban village referred to as Chestnut Hill). The MBTA Worcester commuter rail, serving the northern villages of Newton that are proximate to Waltham, offers less frequent service to Boston. It runs from every half-an-hour during peak times to every couple of hours otherwise. The northern villages are also served by frequent express buses that go to downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike as well as Waltham.

Newton Centre, which is centered around the Newton Centre MBTA station, has been lauded as an example of transit-oriented development.

The Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), which basically follows the old Boston and Albany Railroad main line right-of-way, runs east and west through Newton, while Route 128 (Interstate 95) slices through the extreme western part of the city in the Lower Falls area. Route 30 (Commonwealth Avenue), Route 16 (Watertown Street west to West Newton, where it follows Washington Street west) and route 9 (Worcester Turnpike or Boylston Street) also run east and west through the city. Another major Boston (and Brookline) street, Beacon Street, runs west from the Boston city line to Washington Street west of the hospital, where it terminates at Washington Street.

There are no major north-south roads through Newton: every north-south street in Newton terminates within Newton at one end or the other. The only possible exception is Needham Street, which is north-south at the border between Newton and Needham, but it turns east and becomes Dedham Street, and when it reaches the Boston border, it goes south-east.

There are some north-south streets that are important to intra-Newton traveling. Centre Street runs south from the Watertown town line to Newton Highlands, where it becomes Winchester Street and terminates at Nahanton Street. Walnut Street runs south from Newtonville, where it starts at Crafts Street, down to Newton Highlands, where it ends at Dedham Street.

POPULATION

1980 1990 2000 2010 2017

POPULATION 83,622 82,585 83,829 85,146 88,994

4 POPULATION 90,000

88,000

86,000

84,000 POPULATION

82,000

80,000

78,000 1980 1990 2000 2010 2017

As can be seen from the preceding, the City is experiencing a continued population increase, which is projected to continue for the next several years.

Traffic congestion during typical drive times (7:00- 8:30 a.m. and 4:00-6:30 p.m.) is extremely high. In addition, school traffic congestion during those same hours is also extremely high and is exacerbated by parental pick up and drop offs.

Therefore, for school transportation purposes, the District is considered to be densely populated. As such, transportation efficiency may be determined by other than student loading, such as school bell schedules (tier time), school distances, drive time traffic, community expectations of school transportation services and District policies relative to student ride time and/or earliest pick up or latest acceptable drop off times.

5 NEWTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public education is provided by Newton Public Schools, which operate the following schools:

DISTRICT SCHOOLS

SCHOOL GRADES ENROLLMENT ADDRESS

NEWTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 9-- 12 2170 457 Walnut Street Newtonville

NEWTON SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 9-- 12 1942 140 Brandeis Road Newton Center

OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-- 8 614 130 Wheeler Road Newton Center

DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-- 8 980 21 Minot Place Newtonville

BIGELOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-- 8 521 42 Vernon Street Newton

BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-- 8 753 125 Meadowbrook Road Newton Center

ANGIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K--5 480 1697 Beacon Street Newtonville

BOWEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 410 280 Cypress Street Newton Center

6 SCHOOL GRADES ENROLLMENT ADDRESS BURR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K--5 382 171 Pine Street Auburndale

CABOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 381 229 Cabot Street Newtonville

COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 411 191 Dedham Street Newton Highlands

FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 443 125 Derby Street West Newton

HORACE MANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 401 687 Watertown Street Newtonville

LINCOLN ELIOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 380 191 Pearl Street Newton

MASON RICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 497 149 Pleasant Street Newton Center

MEMORIAL SPAULDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 466 250 Brookline Street Newton Center

PEIRCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 269 170 Templeton Street West Newton

UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 280 101 Vernon Street Newton Corner

7 SCHOOL GRADES ENROLLMENT ADDRESS WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K--5 299 10 Dolphin Road Newton Center

WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 285 141 Grove Street Auburndale

ZERVAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-- 5 432 225 Nevada Street Newtonville

NEWTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER PreK 250 150 Jackson Road Newtonville

In addition, the following private schools are located within the District:

 Fessenden School is a K–9-day and 5–9 boarding school for boys.  Jackson School is a private, Catholic elementary school sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston.  Newton Country Day School.  Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston is a K–8 Conservative Jewish day school.  Newton Montessori School is a K-6 private elementary school.  Mount Alvernia High School is a private girls' school for grades 7–12.  Mount Alvernia Academy is an independent Catholic School for Preschool through Grade 6.

The following describe the various District enrollment areas:

8 HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS

9 MIDDLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS

10 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

11 While many of the schools are located relatively close together, bell schedules and neighborhood traffic make it difficult to operate multi school routes.

DISTRICT SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS

SCHOOLS 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 HIGH SCHOOLS 4058 4112 4047 4065 4063 4098 4133 4230 MIDDLE SCHOOLS 2868 2852 2851 2913 3028 3028 3013 2886 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 5824 5816 5787 5724 5629 5619 5565 5583

14000

12000 10000 8000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 6000 MIDDLE SCHOOLS 4000 HIGH SCHOOLS 2000

0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 ENROLLMENT 12,750 12,780 12,685 12,702 12,720 12,745 12,711 12,699

ENROLLMENT 12,800 12,750 12,700 ENROLLMENT 12,650 12,600 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

FINDING: While the City expects to continue to see moderate growth, the school district enrollment is also expected to remain relatively stable over the next several years.

12 SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULES – TRANSPORTATION TIER TIMES IN DISTRICT SCHOOLS The District currently operates a modified Three Tier system, with Tier 1 the Private Schools, and the High Schools, Oak Hill, Day and Bigelow Middle Schools are Tiers1/2, and Brown Middle and the Elementary Schools are Tier 3.

The following describes the various tier times available for school transportation under the current school bell schedules:

SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULES SCHOO SCHOOL START END TUESDAY L ADDRESS TIME TIME END DAY

NEWTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 7:50 3:20 * 2:35 7'30" 1:55 NEWTON SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 7:40 3:20* (TU/FR) 7'40" OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:00 2:30 1:45 6'30" DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:05 2:35 1:50 6'30" BIGELOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:15 2:45 2:00 6'30" BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:30 3:00 2:15 6'30" ANGIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" BOWEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" BURR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" CABOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" HORACE MANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" LINCOLN ELIOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" MASON RICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" MEMORIAL SPAULDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" PEIRCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" UNDERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" WARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" ZERVAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 12:30 6'40" 12:00- NEWTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 8:30 2:30 Varies

9:00 (Varies)

13 TRANSPORTATION TIER TIMES

SCHOOL SCHOOL START END A.M. TIER P.M. TIER DAY NEWTON SOUTH 7:40 3:20* 7'40" 45 45

NEWTON NORTH 7:50 3:20 * 7'30" 45 45

OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:00 2:30 6'30" 10 30

DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:05 2:35 6'30" 15 25

BIGELOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:15 2:45 6'30" 25 15

BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:30 3:00 6'30" 40 20

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 8:20 3:00 6'40" 30 20 Relatively small amount of time  Latest end times

FINDING: As can be seen from the previous, other than the high schools, the middle and elementary schools have a relatively short tier time in both the morning and afternoon. This results in many buses arriving early for morning drop off and late for afternoon pickups.

DEFINITIONS

TIER TIME: A tier is defined as that time which is available prior to the start of the earliest school, the time between the starting time of the earliest school and the starting time of the next earliest school and the time between the starting time of the second earliest and that of the third earliest school.

ROUTE TIME: The time from the bus depot to the actual school drop off time (includes 6-7 minutes of disembarking time).

RIDE TIME: The time from the time of the first student pick up to the last student drop off (either at school or at home).

DEAD HEAD TIME: Time from the end of 1 route to the start of the next route in which there are no students.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT COSTS

The District contracts with Eastern Bus Company, Inc. for its regular, kindergarten and early childhood in district school bus student transportation. and with JSC Transportation for special education, early childhood and homeless transportation van transportation.

The following represents the District vs the transportation budgets over the past several years:

DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION BUDGET

NPS Operating Budget FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 Regular Transportation* $1,895,683 $1,983,631 $2,002,580 $2,283,500 $2,584,400 $2,936,000 Special Education Transportation $3,476,195 $3,546,776 $4,215,907 $4,128,681 $4,685,572 $5,247,676

Transportation Budgets $5,371,878 $5,530,407 $6,218,487 $6,412,181 $7,269,972 $8,183,676 Total District Operating Budget $195,831,164 $204,095,912 $211,177,825 $219,236,486 $227,560,263 $236,372,312

% Transportation/District 2.74% 2.71% 2.94% 2.92% 3.19% 3.46% *Regular Transportation Budget include Bus Fee Offset and Private School Buses

TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $- 1 2 3 4 5

15 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 Special Education $5,000,000 Transportation $4,000,000 Regular Transportation* $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $- 1 2 3 4 5 6

FINDING: The Special Education Transportation continues to be the fastest growing segment of the school transportation budget. FINDING: District transportation has averaged approximately 3.04% of the total District budgets over the past five (5) years. For similar school districts, a ratio of 5% or less is considered cost effective by both industry and DESE standards. Therefore, the District transportation operation is considered to be cost effective.

In addition, the District also receives a METCO grant, which includes school transportation for METCO students attending District schools:

METCO GRANT

NPS Boston METCO Grant Budget FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Boston METCO Transportation $801,975 $829,600 $868,920 $941,000 $970,200 Total Boston METCO Grant $2,093,671 $2,410,876 $2,505,348 $2,507,466 $2,662,508

% Transportation/METCO Grant 38% 34% 35% 38% 36%

DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION Including METCO GRANT FUNDS

NPS Operating Budget Plus METCO Grant FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Regular, Special Education, and METCO $6,173,853 $6,360,007 $7,087,407 $7,353,181 $8,240,172

Total NPS Budget and METCO GRANT $197,924,83 5 $206,506,788 $213,683,173 $221,743,952 $230,222,771

% Transportation/District 3.12% 3.08% 3.32% 3.32% 3.58%

The District currently pays an all-inclusive cost of $540.00 per day per bus, with exclusive rights to the buses during the school day. In addition, because the METCO routes are

16 extraordinarily long, the District pays for a 5 hour route: $650, for a 6 hour route: $670 and for shared routes: $710 per day for the METCO routes.

The following represents the transportation costs of those school districts which have recently bid their school bus contracts. While not an “apples to apples” comparison, it does provide a sense of recent contract cost increases:

RECENT TRANSPORTATION BID PRICES

REGULAR BID/CONTRACT BID/CONTRACT BID/CONTRACT DISTRICT TIERS CURRENT FY'2018 FY'2019 FY'2020 FY'2017

Newton 3 $540.00 $555.00 $575.00 Plymouth-Propane Buses 3 $376.78 $419.90 $443.31 $455.50 Plymouth-Diesel 3 $376.78 $402.32 $424.75 $436.43 Mansfield 3 $312.00 $347.00 $354.00 $361.00 Plainville 2 $300.00 $370.00 $380.00 Billerica 2 to 3 $281.00 $372.00 $372.00 $372.00 Lincoln-Sudbury 3 $324.77 $357.08 $382.52 $395.91 Hamilton-Wenham 2 $255.17 $276.03 $286.71 $297.18 Athol 3 $323.00 $347.00 $379.00 $405.00 Duxbury 2 to 3 $374.70 $387.81 $411.42 $423.76 Upper Cape Cod Reg Tech 1 $332.45 $343.45 Whitman-Hanson-Abington Reg 3 $338.86 $372.35 $402.73 $412.80 Greater New Bedford Voc Tech 1 $268.19 $309.76 Greater Lowell Voc Reg Tech 1 $228.50 $267.00 Taunton 3 $301.11 $338.00 $343.07 $348.22 Framingham 3 $411.60 $425.34 $446.90 $458.10 Lunenburg 2 to 3 $360.00 $370.00 $380.00 $395.00 Melrose 3 $335.00 $389.00 $409.00 $429.00 Freetown-Lakeville 2 to 3 $439.39 $478.07 $494.80 $512.12 West Boylston 3 $270.99 $349.00 $369.00 $391.00 Fairhaven 2 $220.00 $275.00 Chicopee 3 to 4 $322.53 $327.37 $332.28 $337.26 Gateway Regional 2 $325.77 Mohawk Trail RSD 2 $357.58 Hampshire Reg 2 $346.50 Amherst Pelham RSD 2 $338.79 Westfield 3 $305.77 $310.77 South Hadley $318.40 $331.14 Blackstone-Millville RSD 3 $387.00 $387.00 $407.00 $417.00 Bridgewater-Raynham RSD 3 $413.34 $435.00 $441.53 $448.15 Bridgewater-Raynham RSD 2 $366.24 $415.00 $421.23 $427.54 Blackstone Valley Tech RSD 1 $299.28 $343.85 $349.01 $354.24

17 REGULAR BID/CONTRACT BID/CONTRACT BID/CONTRACT DISTRICT TIERS CURRENT FY'2018 FY'2019 FY'2020 FY'2017

Dracut 3 $308.05 $382.00 Palmer $388.00 $404.04 Quabbin Regional 2 $355.95 $395.00 Bedford 2 $374.00 $384.00 $399.00 $419.00 Somerset 3 $298.00 $341.00 $351.00 $361.00 Berkley 2 $275.00 $295.00 Lowell (Re Bid) 3 $315.00 $370.00 $375.00 $380.00 Worcester RNT 3 $338.67 $420.73 $433.35 $446.35 Worcester SNT 1 $358.32 $475.96 $492.62 $509.86 Brockton 3 $420.94 $454.62 $468.26 Springfield-83 PAX 3 $422.00 Springfield-71 PAX 3 $417.00 Springfield-24 PAX $462.63 Springfield-Vans $253.92 Nashoba Reg 3 $369.33 No Bids Fall River 2 $388.88 $364.00 Fall River 1 $288.88 $298.00 Burlington $285.00 $366.00 Norton 3 $355.25 $360.00

$14,320.71 $13,006.68

AVERAGE BUS COST: $387.05 $406.46

FINDING: As can be seen from the previous, the District current cost per bus per day (all- inclusive/exclusive use with late runs included) are only slightly higher than those Boston area school districts which have recently bid their transportation contracts.

DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION POLICIES/PAST PRACTICE

 Kindergarten-pick up and drop off on right side of street in the morning and at safe and convenient neighborhood bus stops in the afternoon.  Due to increased traffic, past/current practice is that no student should be on a bus longer than 50 minutes.  Due to parent demands, school bus stops should be as convenient as possible.  Routing and scheduling reserves a seat for every eligible rider.  Student loads should be no more than 2 students per seat for High and Middle School students and as close as practical for elementary school students.

18 TRANSPORTATION ROUTING and SCHEDULING

Neither the District nor the Contractors (Eastern or JSC) utilize a robust computer routing software program. As such, route information was developed utilizing a District Data Base V1.0, driver recorded information and various spreadsheets.

COMMENDATION: The Transportation Director is highly knowledgeable of the District transportation operation, requirements, as well as community expectations. All data was readily available and answers to questions and explanations were provided. NPS does an excellent job in managing the transportation operation within the quality constraints required.

FINDING: The current school bell schedules do not allow for a more efficient multi-tier/multi school transportation operation.

FINDING: High traffic at drive times (7:15-8:45 a.m.), combined with high school traffic congestion at both student drop off and pick up times are problematic for increased routing efficiencies.

FINDING: Of the six (6) buses designated for the private schools, six (6) of them are only available for the third tier in the morning and none are available in the afternoon for the District schools transportation.

FINDING: Several schools do not have separate school bus and parent pick up and drop off areas. It is therefore problematic for buses to quickly load and unload students.

RECOMMENDATION: Segregate school bus from special education van and from parent pick up and drop off areas.

COMPARISON COMPUTER GENERATED vs. MANUAL ROUTING METHODS*

Average Number N=231 Utilize Routing of Buses per 100 Districts Software? Students YES 141 districts 1.82

NO 90 Districts 2.4

Variance 0.58 Variance % 31.87%

*Source: Student Transportation Benchmarking Survey, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, Management Partners Services, May 2008

Transportation personnel who do not use or are not proficient with routing software spend an inordinate amount of time manually developing and managing routes and schedules.

19 Because route efficiency ultimately determines the number of routes and buses and drivers required, it is critical to the overall management of transportation cost effectiveness. In the current economic climate it is important to maximize the dollars going into the classroom and to minimize the dollars used for transportation, without compromising quality or safety. In order to increase reimbursements, a district must reduce its route mileage and/or increase the number of eligible riders. Given declining enrollments in many districts, increasing route efficiency might be the only option.

In the absence of computerized routing system, staff must rely on computer spreadsheets to maintain student and route data. This data is often difficult to maintain and manipulate because student needs and routes continually change. As a general rule, because routing software can significantly reduce the number of man-hours, the transportation supervisor becomes more efficient in managing the day to day transportation operation. In short, computer routing systems can help districts:  Develop and manage bus routes, student data, and drivers;  Visualize bus stops, routes, and students;  Generate state reports  Manage redistricting issues;  Design routes with integrated mapping system in collaboration with area school districts for common out of district placements.

Once installed and personnel properly trained, computer routing systems are relatively inexpensive to maintain. In fact, most pay for themselves through savings and future cost avoidance. When comparing system costs, many districts report an immediate savings in consideration of the cost of the man-hours necessary to operate the previous manual routing system.

Application of computer routing will also provide the opportunity to develop “what if” scenarios, such as changes in bell schedules that would provide a larger window of transportation times between tiers. The change, in turn, may allow the district to reduce the overall number of buses in simultaneous operation and consequently reduce the overall cost of transportation. Frequently, a change of only 10-15 minutes of a single bell schedule can result in the elimination of several buses.

A computer generated Fleet Management Schedule would provide more accurate and detailed information on each route, including student loading, bus capacity, total time and miles. This would make route management easier and more accurate and reduce reliance on the Contractors to manage route changes.

The following Transportation Fleet Schedule is one of the management tools available through a computer routing system:

Each tier, both a.m. and p.m. is shown as a separate schedule block. These time blocks can then be manually adjusted. This tool will provide management with additional information relative to route schedules and potential route/schedule revisions and impact. Red blocks indicate a scheduling problem and a blue block suggests the necessary correction.

The preceding Fleet Schedule depicts the times of all scheduled routes. It allows management, at a glance to identify all bus routes on a single screen. It is therefore relatively easy to revise bus route assignments and consolidate routes by literally moving the route blocks from one bus to another. Clicking on any block automatically provides the data for that route, including, vehicle loading, and vehicle capacities, start and end times. This alone provides transportation management with a tool necessary for contract management and verification of driver route times.

RECOMMENDATION: Should the District elect to purchase its own routing software, a robust computer routing and scheduling software, such as Traversa (Appendix A) would allow for the electronic transfer of student data and therefore save time and energy during the critical late summer months. It would allow the transportation management to work smarter as opposed to working harder, especially with the management of changes in program locations/placements, etc. In addition, route information would be readily available and verifiable. In addition, it would allow management to investigate various options relative to school transportation, i.e. route change impact, school schedule revisions impact or school redistricting impact.

21 in order to not have to add a bus and driver during the year and after the budget has been set. This is especially true for specialized transportation, which changes almost daily based upon the transportation requirements of the students.

RECOMMENDATION: As the District considers contract management, increasing school transportation efficiencies and school (High Schools) bell schedule revisions, it may wish to consider the purchase of a robust routing software program, such as Traversa, a Tyler Technologies program. This software will provide management with additional analytical tools and reports, currently not available. In our opinion, it would allow management to work smarter and better utilizes the analytical tools available.

In addition, the level of student information contained in the Traversa map is more helpful in considering school redistricting options and their effect on school transportation services.

It is typically not a good business practice for the District to depend on the Contractor(s) to develop routes and schedules. Their business paradigm does not include creating the most efficient and cost-effective routes for the District. Oftentimes, they develop routes and schedules which are convenient to operate.

RECOMMENDATION: Given the high degree of District knowledge and transportation expertise of the current Transportation Coordinator, management may wish to develop and implement computerized routing and scheduling in order to have all data and information readily available to her successor. It is generally a poor business practice to not document all essential policies, procedures and data so that the function can continue as seamless as possible in the event of an illness or other event which would preclude her continuing to manage the day to day operation.

TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE CAPACITIES

School bus safety requires all students to be safely seated without legs in the aisle or blocking the bus aisle or rear emergency door. For upper grade students, this standard reduces the seating capacity to 2 students per seat. Current manufacturer 13” bus seats will not typically accommodate 3 students per seat for older (HS/MS) students.

Given current industry standards and required student safety the following represents the safe seating capacity for school buses for the various student age groups:

Industry Standard- Adult (High School Students) School Bus Seating Capacity “The seating capacity of a school bus is based on three students per 39-inch school bus seat. However, the generally accepted industry standard for adults and high school age students is that only two (2) adults/students will safely fit into a 39-inch school bus seat. Students may not hang over the edge of the seat, as doing so eliminates the compartmentalization safety for those students.” (New England Transit Sales, Inc.)

Therefore, based upon the preceding industry standard, the following would be the safe seating capacity for adult and high/middle school age students:

22 SCHOOL BUS CAPACITIES*

BUS SIZE TIER 83 77 71 65 47 27 21 16 7 K TO 5 TIER 2 83 77 71 65 47 27 21 16 7 6 TO 8 TIER 1 55 51 47 43 31 18 16 11 5

9 TO 12 TIER 3 55 51 47 43 31 18 15 11 5 * According to Accepted Industry Standards

TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

School transportation efficiency is generally determined by the following factors:  Manual vs. computerized routing and scheduling  The person who does the routing and scheduling determines the number of buses required.  Student Riders: Scheduled vs. Actual Riders (Student Loading)  Time available between school starting and ending times (Tiers)  Distance and travel time between schools  Population density, i.e. number of students per mile of bus travel  Highway/road infrastructure and traffic patterns and congestion  A.M. routes generally drive the number of buses required, as more students ride in the morning than in the afternoon due to after school activities.  Community expectations for quality of service, i.e. short routes and/or convenient bus stops

CAUTION: Transportation management can sometimes “over consolidate” routes in order to eliminate a bus, only to have to reinstate it during the year or the following year due to required changes or routes which are too long. As a result an efficient transportation system requires some “excess” capacity in order to manage the route and schedule changes from year to year in order to not have to add a bus and driver during the year and after the budget has been set. This is especially true for specialized transportation, which changes almost daily based upon the transportation requirements of the students. TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS

It is typically the morning routes which determine the size and number of buses required to provide safe and efficient school transportation, as many students tend to stay after school for athletics or other after school events.

The following route information was extrapolated from various reports provided by both transportation management and by the Contractor. Not all route information was readily available. Therefore, we analyzed that information which was provided. In addition, there were discrepancies between route (trip) numbers and the assigned buses between the various reports provided. However, we believe that the information is representative of the routes and schedules in operation.

23 BUS FLEET UTILIZATION (Includes the 6 “Swing Space” Buses)

The District currently transports approximately 2,711 students, utilizing 34 - 77 passenger buses, with typical ridership from 52 to 77 students per bus depending on grade level.

Based upon these parameters, the District utilizes the following number of buses:

BUS UTILIZATION

TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3 AVAILABLE BUSES A.M. 28 34 34 AVAILABLE BUSES* P.M. 28 28 28

*6 buses are not available in the afternoon as they do private school routes.

SCHOOLS A.M. P.M

HIGH SCHOOLS 22 17

MIDDLE SCHOOLS 20 24

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 26 19

BOSTON METCO (2 SHARED BUSES) 8 8

PRIVATE SCHOOLS 6 5

In addition, six (6) of the 34 in district buses do private school routes. ALL ROUTES A.M. ROUTES

BUS START END ROUTE NUMBER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME STOPS LOAD CAPACITY AA 101 ANGIER ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 8 51 77 AL 103 ANGIER ES 7:50 8:20 0:30 8 21 77 AB 104 ANGIER ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 2 29 77 NN 501 BOWEN ES 7:45 8:20 0:35 18 18 77 HS1 502 BOWEN ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 5 12 77 NN 503 BOWEN ES 12:35 17 TT 701 BURR ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 11 28 77

BB 901 CABOT ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 8 65 77

24 BUS START END ROUTE NUMBER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME STOPS LOAD CAPACITY BB 902 CABOT ES 12:35 13 AJ 903 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 7 49 77 AK 904 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 7 38 77 AC 905 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 8 42 77 AG 906 CABOT ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 8 53 77 AH 907 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 6 51 77 CC 1501 COUNTRYSIDE ES 7:55 8:15 0:20 5 40 77 KK 1502 COUNTRYSIDE ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 5 35 77 GG 1503 COUNTRYSIDE ES 8:05 8:15 0:10 3 8 77 TT 701 FRANKLIN ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 11 NA 702 FRANKLIN ES 12:35 8 WW 2101 FRANKLIN ES 8:10 8:20 0:10 5 12 77 NA 2102 FRANKLIN ES 12:40 4 LL 3101 MASON-RICE 7:45 8:20 0:35 10 14 77 NA 3102 MASON-RICE 12:35 10 HS2 BOS1 MASON-RICE 8:00 8:20 0:20 3 16 77 OO 3301 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING ES 7:55 8:15 0:20 10 57 77 MM 3302 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 7 13 77 AZ 3303 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 10 42 77 OO 3305 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING ES 12:35 23 AF 3901 PIERCE ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 3 15 77 QQ 3902 PIERCE ES 12:35 3 DD 4301 UNDERWOOD ES 7:30 8:00 0:30 10 9 77 DD 4304 UNDERWOOD ES 12:35 5 DD 4305 UNDERWOOD ES 8:10 8:20 0:10 3 DD 4301 WARD ES 7:30 8:00 0:30 10 RR 4302 WARD ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 3 4 77 DD 4304 WARD K-UNDERWOOD K 12:35 5 EE 4502 WARD K-UNDERWOOD K 8:10 8:20 0:10 2 2 77 II 4701 WILLIAMS ES 7:45 8:15 0:30 11 35 77 II 4702 WILLIAMS ES 12:35 11 VV 4901 ZERVAS ES 7:50 8:20 0:30 8 30 77 VV 4902 ZERVAS ES 12:40 11 AM 4903 ZERVAS ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 4 31 77 DD 4301 BIGELOW MS 7:30 8:00 0:30 10 20 52 AD 6100 BIGELOW MS 8:45 9:05 0:20 1 47 52 EE 6101 BIGELOW MS 7:50 8:00 0:10 3 WW 6102 BIGELOW MS 7:40 8:00 0:20 1 31 52 RR 6104 BIGELOW MS 7:40 7:50 0:10 1 4 52 BB 6301 FA DAY MS 7:30 7:45 0:15 1 44 52 EE 6302 FA DAY MS 7:15 7:40 0:25 4 44 52

25 BUS START END ROUTE NUMBER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME STOPS LOAD CAPACITY PP 6303 FA DAY MS 7:20 7:40 0:20 4 57 52 TT 6304 FA DAY MS 6:55 7:40 0:45 5 50 52 RR 6305 FA DAY MS 7:00 7:40 0:40 9 16 52 SS 6501 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 3 48 52 HH 6502 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 4 61 52 JJ 6503 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 4 35 52 UU 6504 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 5 43 52 AE 6505 BROWN MS 8:00 8:20 0:20 3 62 52 PP 6506 BROWN MS 8:05 8:20 0:15 2 47 52 FF 6507 BROWN MS 8:00 8:20 0:20 3 41 52 QQ 6508 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 5 33 52 YY 6509 BROWN MS 7:45 8:20 0:35 4 43 52 AD 6511 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 4 37 52 KK 6701 OAK HILL MS 7:00 7:50 0:50 15 35 52 JJ 6702 OAK HILL MS 7:05 7:45 0:40 5 53 52 CC 6703 OAK HILL MS 7:25 7:45 0:20 4 42 52 LL 6705 OAK HILL MS 6:55 7:30 0:35 6 54 52 FF 6707 OAK HILL MS 7:15 7:45 0:30 4 54 52 AA 7101 NORTH HS 7:10 7:20 0:10 1 32 52 BB 7102 NORTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 2 23 52 QQ 7103 NORTH HS 7:20 7:40 0:20 3 44 52 AD 7104 NORTH HS 7:00 7:40 0:40 4 35 52 WW 7105 NORTH HS 7:00 7:30 0:30 4 30 52 SS 7106 NORTH HS 7:15 7:35 0:20 3 54 52 PP 7107 NORTH HS 7:00 7:10 0:10 1 39 52 AJ 7108 NORTH HS 7:05 7:25 0:20 1 AC 7109 NORTH HS 7:10 7:30 0:20 2 4 52 YY 7500 SOUTH HS 6:55 7:30 0:35 5 43 52 NN 7501 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:25 0:35 4 56 52 OO 7502 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:30 0:40 4 51 52 HH 7503 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:20 0:30 7 69 52 VV 7504 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 3 34 52 DD 7505 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:10 0:20 9 53 52 II 7506 SOUTH HS 6:55 7:20 0:25 3 58 52 UU 7507 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:30 0:30 5 53 52 AL 7508 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:20 0:20 3 54 52 AM 7509 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 4 29 52 MM 7510 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 3 66 52 BB 7511 SOUTH HS 9:05 9:20 0:15 1 AK 7512 SOUTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 3 29 52 AG 7513 SOUTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 2 34 52

26 BUS START END ROUTE NUMBER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME STOPS LOAD CAPACITY AZ SO40 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:40 0:50 15 17 52 AB SO41 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:40 0:50 16 29 52 GG SO43 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:45 0:55 14 13 52 AE JA01 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 7 10 52 AF JA02 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 5 4 52 AP JA05 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 10 4 52

METRICS A.M. ROUTES

NO. BUSES 41 NO. RTS. 95 AVE. RTS/BUS 2.32 ACTUAL LOAD 2788 CAPACITY 4808 AVE. ACTUAL LOAD/RT. 29.3 AVE. ACTUAL LOAD/BUS 68 AVE. TIME/RT. 23.4 AVE. TIME/BUS 54.3 AVE. STOPS/RT. 6.14 AVE. STUDENTS/STOP 4.8 ACTUAL LOAD/ CAPACITY RATIO 58.0%

ROUTE vs. TIER TIME ANALYSIS A.M. ROUTES

40 ROUTE TIME 30 BENCH. TIME 20

101 503 903

JA02

1501 2101 3301 4302 4901 6101 6303 6503 6508 6703 7103 7108 7503 7508 7513 3902

27 FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate within the tier time available and are less than 30 minutes.LOAD- CAPACITY ANALYSIS A.M. ROUTES

90 80 70 60 50 ACTUAL LOAD 40 BUS CAPACITY 30 20 10

101 503 903

JA02

6503 6508 2101 3301 3902 4302 4901 6101 6303 6703 7103 7108 7503 7508 7513 1501

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that most routes operate within available bus capacities. Several routes appear to be slightly overscheduled.

FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 2788 students in the morning.  The average number of bus stops is approximately 6 per route, with an average of 4.8 students per stop. However, several routes have as many as 18+ stops over relatively short routes.  The average route time is approximately 23 minutes  The average number of actual riders is 29 students per route  Average “dead head” (time between end MS routes/start of ES routes and for HS routes- no students): 15 minutes  The actual load to capacity ratio is 58 % in the morning.

Typically, for high school routes and since many eligible high school students do not ride the bus, high school routes are generally scheduled at 100%+ of eligible riders. However, given the District practice of reserving a seat (2 students per seat) for every eligible rider, this is not possible. However, the current student load to capacity ratio of approximately 58% in the morning is not considered efficient by current industry and DESE standards. It is the morning routes which generally determine the size and number of buses required to provide safe and efficient school transportation.

28 However, given considerations of other than actual student loading, such as the current bell schedules, limited transportation tier time and heavy traffic, both in the community and around the schools, the operation is as efficient as practical. Any significant increase in efficiency would require either more buses or a change in bell schedules; neither of which are recommended.

CAVEAT: However, we do not recommend changing school bell schedules for school transportation purposes. School schedules should be set by the District in accordance with their educational requirements. Transportation is a support service to the educational process.

A.M. ROUTES ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

BUS START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY AA 101 ANGIER ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 51 55 AB 104 ANGIER ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 30 29 55 AC 905 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 30 42 55 AF 3901 PIERCE ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 30 15 55 AG 906 CABOT ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 53 55 AH 907 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 30 51 55 AJ 903 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 30 49 55 AK 904 CABOT ES 8:00 8:20 0:20 30 38 55 AL 103 ANGIER ES 7:50 8:20 0:30 30 21 55 AM 4903 ZERVAS ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 31 55 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING AZ 3303 ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 42 55 BB 901 CABOT ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 65 55 CC 1501 COUNTRYSIDE ES 7:55 8:15 0:20 30 40 55 DD 4301 UNDERWOOD ES 7:30 8:00 0:30 30 9 55 DD 4305 UNDERWOOD ES 8:10 8:20 0:10 30 DD 4301 WARD ES 7:30 8:00 0:30 30 EE 4502 WARD K-UNDERWOOD K 8:10 8:20 0:10 30 2 55 GG 1503 COUNTRYSIDE ES 8:05 8:15 0:10 30 8 55 HS1 502 BOWEN ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 30 12 55 HS2 BOS1 MASON-RICE 8:00 8:20 0:20 30 16 55 II 4701 WILLIAMS ES 7:45 8:15 0:30 30 35 55 KK 1502 COUNTRYSIDE ES 8:05 8:20 0:15 30 35 55 LL 3101 MASON-RICE 7:45 8:20 0:35 30 14 55 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING MM 3302 ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 13 55 NN 501 BOWEN ES 7:45 8:20 0:35 30 18 55 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING OO 3301 ES 7:55 8:15 0:20 30 57 55

29 BUS START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY RR 4302 WARD ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 4 55 TT 701 BURR ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 28 55 TT 701 FRANKLIN ES 7:55 8:20 0:25 30 VV 4901 ZERVAS ES 7:50 8:20 0:30 30 30 55 WW 2101 FRANKLIN ES 8:10 8:20 0:10 30 12 55

METRICS A.M. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ROUTES

BUSES 28 ROUTES (Inc. Mid-Day K) 31 AVE. TIME/RT 22.1 AVE. LOAD/RT 30 LOAD/CAPACITY 53.25%

A.M. ROUTE TIME ANALYSIS

20 TIER TIME ROUTE TIME 15

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that many of the routes operate very close the tier time available. There are several routes which drop off early so that they can make their next route on time.

30 A.M. STUDENT LOAD-CAPACITY ANALYSIS

40 ACTUAL LOAD 30 BUS CAPACITY 20

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate within available bus capacities.

FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 820 elementary school students in the morning.  The average route time is approximately 22 minutes.  The average number of actual riders is 30 students per route.  Average “dead head” (time between end HS/MS routes/start of ES routes- no students) is approximately 12- 15 minutes.  The actual load to capacity ratio is 53.25 % in the morning.

The current student load to capacity ratio of approximately 53% in the morning is not considered efficient by current industry and DESE standards. However, given the traffic considerations, especially parent drop off traffic around the schools, the routes are as efficient as possible. Any increase in ridership would necessitate a change in school bell schedules.

31 A.M. ROUTES MIDDLE SCHOOLS

BUS START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY AD 6100 BIGELOW MS 8:45 9:05 0:20 25 47 52 DD 4301 BIGELOW MS 7:30 8:00 0:30 25 37 52 EE 6101 BIGELOW MS 7:50 8:00 0:10 25 62 52 RR 6104 BIGELOW MS 7:40 7:50 0:10 25 44 52 WW 6102 BIGELOW MS 7:40 8:00 0:20 25 42 52 AD 6511 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 40 20 52 AE 6505 BROWN MS 8:00 8:20 0:20 40 FF 6507 BROWN MS 8:00 8:20 0:20 40 44 52 HH 6502 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 40 41 52 JJ 6503 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 40 54 52 PP 6506 BROWN MS 8:05 8:20 0:15 40 61 52 QQ 6508 BROWN MS 7:55 8:20 0:25 40 35 52 SS 6501 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 40 53 52 UU 6504 BROWN MS 7:50 8:20 0:30 40 35 52 YY 6509 BROWN MS 7:45 8:20 0:35 40 54 52 BB 6301 FA DAY MS 7:30 7:45 0:15 40 57 52 EE 6302 FA DAY MS 7:15 7:40 0:25 40 47 52 PP 6303 FA DAY MS 7:20 7:40 0:20 40 33 52 RR 6305 FA DAY MS 7:00 7:40 0:40 40 4 52 TT 6304 FA DAY MS 6:55 7:40 0:45 40 16 52 CC 6703 OAK HILL MS 7:25 7:45 0:20 40 48 52 FF 6707 OAK HILL MS 7:15 7:45 0:30 40 50 52 JJ 6702 OAK HILL MS 7:05 7:45 0:40 40 43 52 KK 6701 OAK HILL MS 7:00 7:50 0:50 40 31 52 LL 6705 OAK HILL MS 6:55 7:30 0:35 40 43 52

METRICS A.M. MIDDLE SCHOOL ROUTES

BUSES 25 ROUTES 25 AVE. TIME/RT 26.6 AVE. LOAD/RT 38 LOAD/CAPACITY 76.44%

32 A.M. ROUTE TIME ANALYSIS

30 ROUTE TIME TIER TIME 20

0 6100 6101 6102 6505 6502 6506 6501 6509 6302 6305 6703 6702 6705

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that most routes operate within the tier time available. In order to meet their schedules, several buses drop students off early.

A.M. STUDENT LOAD-CAPACITY ANALYSIS

40 ACTUAL LOAD 30 BUS CAPACITY 20

0 6100 6101 6102 6505 6502 6506 6501 6509 6302 6305 6703 6702 6705

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate near or within available bus capacities.

FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 954 middle school students in the morning.  The average route time is approximately 27 minutes.

33  The average number of actual riders is 38 students per route.  Average “dead head” (time between end MS routes and the start of ES routes - no students) is approximately 12-15 minutes.  The actual load to capacity ratio is 76.44 % in the morning.

The current student load to capacity ratio of approximately 76% in the morning is considered efficient by current industry and DESE standards. Given the traffic considerations, especially parent drop off traffic around the schools, the routes are as efficient as possible. Any increase in ridership would necessitate a change in school bell schedules.

A.M. ROUTES HIGH SCHOOLS

BUS START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION NO. TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY AA 7101 NORTH HS 7:10 7:20 0:10 45 32 52 AC 7109 NORTH HS 7:10 7:30 0:20 45 4 52 AD 7104 NORTH HS 7:00 7:40 0:40 45 35 52 AG 7513 SOUTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 45 34 52 AJ 7108 NORTH HS 7:05 7:25 0:20 45 AK 7512 SOUTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 45 29 52 AL 7508 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:20 0:20 45 54 52 AM 7509 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 45 29 52 BB 7102 NORTH HS 7:05 7:20 0:15 45 23 52 BB 7511 SOUTH HS 9:05 9:20 0:15 45 DD 7505 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:10 0:20 45 53 52 HH 7503 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:20 0:30 45 69 52 II 7506 SOUTH HS 6:55 7:20 0:25 45 58 52 MM 7510 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 45 66 52 NN 7501 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:25 0:35 45 56 52 OO 7502 SOUTH HS 6:50 7:30 0:40 45 51 52 PP 7107 NORTH HS 7:00 7:10 0:10 45 39 52 QQ 7103 NORTH HS 7:20 7:40 0:20 45 44 52 SS 7106 NORTH HS 7:15 7:35 0:20 45 54 52 UU 7507 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:30 0:30 45 53 52 VV 7504 SOUTH HS 7:00 7:25 0:25 45 34 52 WW 7105 NORTH HS 7:00 7:30 0:30 45 30 52 YY 7500 SOUTH HS 6:55 7:30 0:35 45 43 52

34 METRICS A.M. HIGH SCHOOL ROUTES BUSES 22 ROUTES 22 AVE. TIME/RT 24.5 AVE. LOAD/RT 52 LOAD/CAPACITY 81.50%

A.M. ROUTE TIME ANALYSIS

30 ROUTE TIME TIER TIME 20

6301 6707 4301 6101 6104 6102 6511 6505 6507 6502 6503 6506 6508 6501 6504 6509 6302 6303 6305 6304 6703 6702 6701 6705 6100

A.M. STUDENT LOAD CAPACITY ANALYSIS

40 ACTUAL LOAD 30 BUS CAPACITY 20

6104 6511 6507 6503 6100 4301 6101 6102 6505 6502 6506 6508 6501 6504 6509 6301 6302 6303 6305 6304 6703 6707 6702 6701 6705

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that most routes operate within available bus capacities.

FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 890 high school students in the morning.  The average route time is approximately 25 minutes  The average number of actual riders is 52 students per route  Average “dead head” (time between end HS routes/start of ES routes - no students) is approximately 12-15 minutes  The actual load to capacity ratio is 81.5 % in the morning.

Typically, for high school routes and since many eligible high school students do not ride the bus, high school routes are generally scheduled at 100%+ of eligible riders. However, the current student load to capacity ratio of approximately 81.5% in the morning is considered efficient by current industry and DESE standards.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

BUS TRIP DESCRIPTION START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS NO. TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY AZ SO40 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:40 0:50 60 17 52 AB SO41 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:40 0:50 60 29 52 GG SO43 SOLOMON SCHECHTER 6:50 7:45 0:55 60 13 52 AE JA01 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 60 10 52 AF JA02 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 60 4 52 AP JA05 JACKSON,MT. ALV,NCD 6:50 7:50 1:00 60 4 52

METRICS A.M. PRIVATE SCHOOL ROUTES

BUSES 8 ROUTES 8 AVE. TIME/RT 55.8 AVE. LOAD/RT 10 LOAD/CAPACITY 24.68%

36 A.M. ROUTE TIME ANALYSIS

62 60 58 56 54 TIER TIME 52 ROUTE TIME 50 48 46 44 SO40 SO41 SO43 JA01 JA02 JA05

FINDING: Because the private school routes are “district wide” they are relatively long when compared to the public school routes which are generally school zone wide. Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate within the tier time (60 minutes) available.

A.M. STUDENT LOAD-CAPACITY ANALYSIS

30 ACTUAL LOAD BUS CAPACITY 20

0 SO40 SO41 SO43 JA01 JA02 JA05

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate well below the available bus capacities.

37 FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 77 private school students in the morning.  The average route time is approximately 56 minutes  The average number of actual riders is 10 students per route  Average “dead head” (time between end of the private school routes and the start of ES routes - no students): is approximately 10-12 minutes  The actual load to capacity ratio is 25 % in the morning.

The current student load to capacity ratio of approximately 25% in the morning is not considered efficient by current industry and DESE standards.

However, given traffic considerations and the fact that the private routes are district wide, any significant increase in efficiency would result in routes which would exceed 60 minutes.

The following is the DESE regulation with regard to school district responsibilities for providing school transportation to private schools located within the district:

PRIVATE SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION (MGL Ch. 76, Section 1)

For the purposes of this section, school committees shall approve a private school when satisfied that the instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness and efficiency, and in the progress made therein, that in the public schools in the same town; but shall not withhold such approval on account of religious teaching, and, in order to protect children from the hazards of traffic and promote their safety, cities and towns may appropriate money for conveying pupils to and from any schools approved under this section. Except as herein provided, pupils who attend approved private schools of elementary and high school grades shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as to transportation to and from school as are provided by law for pupils of public schools and shall not be denied such transportation because their attendance is in a school which is conducted under religious auspices or includes religious instruction in its curriculum. Each school committee shall provide transportation for any pupil attending such an approved private school within the boundaries of the school district, provided, however, that the distance between said pupil's residence and the private school said pupil attends exceeds two miles or such other minimum distance as may be established by the school committee for transportation of public school students. Any school committee which is required by law to transport any pupil attending an approved private school beyond the boundaries of the school district shall not be required to do so further than the distance from the residence of such pupil to the public school he is entitled to attend.

38 A.M. ROUTES METCO

BUS BOSTON DESCRIPTION START END ROUTE TIER ACTUAL BUS NO. METCO TIME TIME TIME TIME LOAD CAPACITY ELEMENTARY METCO 1E SCHOOLS 6:30 7:50 1:20 60 40 77 ELEMENTARY METCO 2E SCHOOLS 6:30 7:50 1:20 60 40 77 ELEMENTARY METCO 3E SCHOOLS 6:30 7:50 1:20 60 40 77 ELEMENTARY METCO 4 SCHOOLS 6:57 8:00 1:03 60 40 77 METCO 5M MIDDLE SCHOOLS 6:15 7:50 1:35 60 34 52 METCO 6M MIDDLE SCHOOLS 6:15 7:50 1:35 60 34 52 METCO H1 HIGH SCHOOLS 6:15 7:35 1:20 60 55 52 METCO H2 HIGH SCHOOLS 6:15 7:35 1:20 60 55 52

METRICS A.M. METCO ROUTES

ROUTES 8 BUSES 8 AVE. TIME/RT 81.6 AVE. LOAD/RT 42 LOAD/CAPACITY 65.50%

A.M. ROUTE TIME ANALYSIS

100 90 80 70 60 50 ROUTE TIME 40 TIER TIME 30 20 10 0 1E 2E 3E 4 5M 6M H1 H2

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate in excess of 60 minutes.

A.M. STUDENT LOAD-CAPACITY ANALYSIS

90 80 70 60 50 ACTUAL LOAD 40 BUS CAPACITY 30 20 10 0 1E 2E 3E 4 5M 6M H1 H2

FINDING: Based upon the routing and scheduling data provided, it appears that all routes operate within available bus capacities

FINDINGS:  Overall, the District transports approximately 338 Boston students in the morning.  The average route time is approximately 82 minutes.  The average number of actual riders is 42 students per route.  The actual load to capacity ratio is 66 % in the morning.

Traffic issues in Newton, combined with typical Boston traffic result in relatively long route times for Boston METCO students.

RECOMMENDATION: In order to make transportation times more productive for students, the District may wish to investigate installing Wi-Fi on all of the METCO buses. Students would then be able to access the internet, making the ride more acceptable.

SUMMARY

FINDING: Given the level of community expectation and demands on school transportation, the resultant operation is relatively high quality, albeit not as efficient as possible. (However, the transportation operation is relatively efficient for the high level of transportation services being provided.)

FINDING: However, in order to operate as efficiently as possible and minimize the number of buses required, the District will have to consider longer routes, school bell schedule changes, fewer stops, longer student walking distances and greater student time on vehicles; none of which may be acceptable to the community.

40 CAVEAT: However, we do not recommend changing school bell schedules for school transportation purposes. School schedules should be set by the District in accordance with their educational requirements. Transportation is a support service to the educational process.

SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION

The District currently utilizes JSC Transportation for their in district Special Education, Early Childhood, Out of District Special Education and McKinne Vento (homeless) van transportation.

The District reported being relatively pleased with both the quality of transportation services being provided as well as the resultant costs from their recent RFP.

CURRENT NEW CONTRACT VAN 2019 2020 2021 2022 5 Hour $208.08 $232.20 $243.43 $254.91 6 Hour $234.09 $258.23 $269.97 $282.04 7 Hour $260.10 $281.75 $296.56 $309.17 8 Hour $286.11 $310.78 $323.13 $336.30 5 Hour WC $258.23 $269.97 $309.17 6 Hour WC $260.10 $284.25 $296.56 $309.17 7 Hour WC $286.11 $310.28 $323.13 $336.30 8 Hour WC $312.12 $336.30 $349.70 $363.42 Monitors $104.04 $121.60 $130.67 $139.89

FINDING: The bid costs, as negotiated, appear to be consistent with the costs for special education transportation for Districts with similar demographics and in the Greater Boston area.

COMMENDATION: Transportation management should be commended for having negotiated down the cost of the contract from those amounts originally bid. The resultant savings of approximately 2.5% across the entire contract is a significant savings to the District.

TRAFFIC ISSUES

As part of our review, we visited those schools which were reported to have traffic or safety issues. Most of the elementary schools are considered neighborhood schools. As such, they are built on relatively small sites. However, several schools have parks and playgrounds adjacent to the schools. Unfortunately, this property reportedly cannot be repurposed in order to address the lack of staff parking of the schools. Therefore, solutions to parking and traffic issues are limited and must be addressed more creatively and in conjunction with the community surrounding the various schools.

41 The following represents our observations and recommendations for both traffic and/or student safety: Newton South High School Newton South traffic is typically bad along Brandeis Road and it is even worse in the winter when there are snow banks along the street. The 12 buses typically “double stack” when possible, but only do so in the afternoon. Parent and student traffic preclude them from being able to do so in the morning. Therefore, buses are often stacked up on Brandeis Road in the morning quelling for drop offs. However, because of these snowbanks, the 2 lanes are not available for the 11-12 buses which must enter and exit the school. Athletic buses typically pick up along the street.

Our observations during morning drop offs indicated a variety of safety concerns for walkers, bikers and parent traffic, as well as the school bus and van traffic. There did not appear to be a regulated parent pick up and drop off area. Students were observed crossing active parking lots, which appeared to be for staff parking only. School buses were observes traveling through a staff parking lot while staff were arriving. Students were also observes crossing the street and driveways at other than the marked cross walks. At least two (2) cross walks appeared to be in the wrong location, based on the student/pedestrian foot traffic. There were few marked sidewalks or bikeways for students. Several of the students were also wearing head phones or ear buds while walking through active parking areas. We also witnessed several parent cars ignoring the school bus stop signs and flashing lights and passing buses which were actively unloading. Parents also seemed to ignore those signs which were posted identifying drop off areas. Furthermore., parents were observes dropping students off on the street, in the middle of the active parking lot and using “Authorized Vehicle Only” areas and also in Handicap parking spaces. Cars frequently appeared to exit at high speeds and attempted turns into oncoming traffic.

The Special Education vans dropped off in a school rear parking lot which was of insufficient size to allow them to enter and exit safely. The vans were observes making multi point turns in order to exit the lot after dropping off their students.

In May of this year, administration proposed a site improvement plan to address the aforementioned issues:

42 Newton South Proposed Site Improvements (5/2019)

Suggested Improvements 1. Relocate buses to back of school and expand the current fire lane - add parent drop off and pick up along curb near breezeway entrance. 2. Move yellow buses to behind school, controlled gate for entry and exit at both ends. 3. Create potential new parking for staff and or possible neighborhood permit parking plan for first come first serve spaces on Brandeis Rd. 4. Remove 12 staff parking spaces, create loop for specialized vans. 5. Remove 31 parking spaces, close opening to small lot and restrict to staff parking. Create walking/bike path to #6 6. Create cross walk from walk/bike path to bike racks and Goodwin House entrance.

ALTERNATIVE: Newton South Proposed Site Improvements (5/2019) The following is a map for a possible one way trial on Brandeis Rd. for Newton South High School:

Suggested Improvements Potential changes are based on turning Brandeis Rd. into a one way street, traveling west to east beginning at the school property line, indicated by yellow star, to the end at Greenwood St.

1. Yellow buses continue to drop off and pick up in parking lot along curb near breezeway entrance.

2. Remove 12 staff parking spaces. Use lot for specialized vans only.

3. Close entrance from small lot to large solar panel lot.

4. Remove 31 parking spaces, close opening to small lot and restrict to staff parking. Create walking/bike path to #5

5. Create cross walk from walk/bike path to bike racks and Goodwin House entrance.

6. Continue parent drop off and pick up in front loop near auditorium, add signs indicating drop and pick up zone.

7. Create 2nd parent drop off and pick up area before nose in parking spaces on Brandeis Rd.

8. Create parallel parking on tennis court side of Brandeis Rd. from end of 2nd parent drop off/pick up zone to end of Brandeis Rd.

Newton North High School

Currently, the eight (8) Athletic/Activity buses pick up along Hull Street. However, students must walk across two athletic fields to get to the buses. A simple solution would be to switch the student parking area with that of the bus parking area, so that pickups and drop offs were adjacent to the school. With continued growth, there appears to be insufficient staff parking. The bus loop also appears to be insufficient for the number of buses (6), the METCO bus and up to seven (7) vans picking up and dropping off at the Elm Road bus loop, simultaneously, with parent traffic. Vehicles need to have staggered times in order to minimize the resultant traffic issues. The traffic issue is typically worse in the afternoon when all vehicles arrive at almost the same time. Parents are also typically using Tiger Driver for both school and preschool pickups and drop offs, even though signs indicate “Authorized Vehicles Only” during

45 school hours. With right turn in and out only, the result is that traffic backs up in the afternoon on Walnut Street. The recommendation would be to enforce the current parent pick up and drop off areas.

Bigelow Middle School Apparently the current school site is not large enough to be able to address traffic concerns. Currently, the Athletic buses pick up and drop off on Arlington Street, adjacent to the school. The current vans pick and drop off in the small parking lot. Parents pick up and drop off along Park Street. The buses pick up and drop off on Vernon Street, which is too narrow.

Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools Because these schools are very close in proximity, any simultaneous pick up and drop off causes extreme school bus traffic problems in that community and adjacent streets. Consequently, transportation management must stagger the pickup and drop off times at each school. While this may reduce overall efficiency, it is a necessary solution to minimize traffic issues for the community.

Countryside Elementary School The three (3) buses conducting student drop offs were unloading on the street in front of the school and blocking traffic for well over ten (10) minutes. There is not currently a bus lane for a safe and efficient of street pick up and drop off area. Street traffic delays often result in driver rage and unsafe passing of school buses. The buses currently utilize a right side only pick up and drop off in order to minimize student safety issues. A suggestion would be to move the bus loading zone into the bus loop and turn the front yellow zone into staff parking. Another suggestion would be to change the yellow bus zone into a blue zone for parent loading. This option would also require that a pedestrian gate be installed in the fence with a sidewalk and crosswalk at the front of the building.

Cabot Elementary School While Cabot has a large recreational and park space, it is not being effectively utilized to solve the traffic issues. While there are plans being developed in conjunction with the school rebuilding/renovation, concerns over appropriate and safe pick up and drop off zones continue. If the new Potter Way/Park View Street are used by parents as a blue zone, there will not be any safe and convenient van access for special needs students. In addition, when completed, it does not appear that there will be enough staff parking. The following school site enhancements were proposed by administration in January 2019:

Franklin Elementary School The current cut in is currently being used by parents for pick up and drop off. Because of the volume of parent traffic, they often double stack. This area should be used for the bus pick up and drop off. A suggestion would be to switch the blue zone with the yellow zone and make the buses drop off closer to the school building. There also did not appear to be an adequate fire lane in the rear of the building. It appeared too narrow for fire equipment to make the turn around the building. Another suggestion would be to use split the blue zone to allow for the two buses and one van to utilize.

Zervas School There does not appear to be adequate staff parking at or adjacent to the school building. Apparently, this was by design as there appears to have been adequate site space, if designed differently. Currently, staff must park on the street in designated areas. These areas should be marked “Parking By Permit Only”. Other than redesigning the front of the school building, the only viable area would be to relocate the playground away from the street and construct staff parking in that area. In addition, signs indicating (Authorized Vehicles Only During School Times 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. should be installed at the front entrance driveway.

47 Underwood Elementary School In order to address current traffic issues, the three streets nearest the school are all one way. However, Tremont Street is considered a Boston access route and has high traffic most of the day. There is also insufficient staff parking and they consequently park wherever they can find space. The site appears to be too small to be able to create additional staff parking.

William Elementary School Parents pick up and drop off on both sides of the street in front of the building. Due to relatively high traffic, there is a crossing guard to assist student in crossing the street. However, the rear parking lot for the current staff. They currently must double park which is inconvenient. To minimize traffic concerns, the drive is one way during school hours.

RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMENDATION: The District should engage an architect familiar with school design to review both the traffic and safety related issues and to work with the City Engineer and other municipal officials relative to addressing the aforementioned observations.

INSURANCE

Our review of the insurance certificates for JSC Transportation, Inc. indicates coverage for Owned, Hired, Scheduled and Non-Owned autos with a Combined Single Limit (CSL) of $2 million and that the City is listed as an additional insured under the policy with no Excess Liability coverage. The insurance certificate for Eastern Bus Company, Inc. indicated automobile insurance coverage for Any Auto with a CSL of $1 million and excess liability coverage of $9 million for each occurrence. Neither policy indicated specific coverage for Under Insured or Uninsured drivers/vehicles.

This is important as over the past decade there are more drivers who are either minimally insured or are uninsured. In the event of a school bus accident, it is incumbent upon management to protect the financial interests of both the District and the municipality.

RECOMMENDATION: District management may wish to review all transportation Contractors automobile liability insurance policy and request that those Contractors maintain specific insurance coverage for Under Insured and Uninsured Motorists and that the Excess Liability coverage extends to both of those lines in the event of any excess damages. This would provide protection to both the District and the municipality in the event of an accident and resulting financial damages.

48 Later High School Start Times

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents today face a widespread chronic health problem: sleep deprivation. Although society often views sleep as a luxury that ambitious or active people cannot afford, research shows that getting enough sleep is a biological necessity, as important to good health as eating well or exercising. Teens are among those least likely to get enough sleep; while they need on average 9 ¼ hours of sleep per night for optimal performance, health and brain development, teens average fewer than 7 hours per school night by the end of high school, and most report feeling tired during the day (Wolfson & Carskadon, 1998). The roots of the problem include poor teen sleep habits that do not allow for enough hours of quality sleep; hectic schedules with afterschool activities and jobs, homework hours and family obligations; and a clash between societal demands, such as early school start times, and biological changes that put most teens on a later sleep-wake clock. As a result, when it is time to wake up for school, the adolescent’s body says it is still the middle of the night, and he or she has had too little sleep to feel rested and alert.

The consequences of sleep deprivation during the teenage years are particularly serious. Teens spend a great portion of each day in school; however, they are unable to maximize the learning opportunities afforded by the education system, since sleep deprivation impairs their ability to be alert, pay attention, solve problems, cope with stress and retain information. Young people who do not get enough sleep night after night carry a significant risk for drowsy driving; emotional and behavioral problems such as irritability, depression, poor impulse control and violence; health complaints; tobacco and alcohol use; impaired cognitive function and decision-making; and lower overall performance in everything from academics to athletics.

The School Start Time Issue Adolescent sleep deprivation is largely driven by a conflict between teens’ internal biological clocks and the schedules and demands of society. Therefore, it makes sense to look at school start times, which set the rhythm of the day for students, parents, teachers and members of the community at large. "Given that the primary focus of education is to maximize human potential, then a new task before us is to ensure that the conditions in which learning takes place address the very biology of our learners."

Mary A. Carskadon, PhD, Director of E.P. Bradley Hospital Research Laboratory and professor in Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University School of Medicine.

Research on School Start Times and Biology In a project spearheaded by Dr. Mary A. Carskadon and colleagues, researchers investigated what would happen to sleep and circadian rhythms in a group of young people for whom the transition from junior high to senior high required a change in school starting time from 8:25 am to 7:20 am (Carskadon et al., 1998).

49 The 25 students completed the study at two-time points, in the spring of 9th grade and autumn of 10th grade. The students kept their usual schedules, wore small activity monitors on their wrists, and kept diaries of activities and sleep schedules for two consecutive weeks. At the end, participants came to Carskadon’s sleep lab for assessment of the onset phase of melatonin secretion, an overnight sleep study, and daytime testing with MSLT. The in-lab sleep schedule was fixed to each student’s average school night schedule, based on data from the wrist monitors.

Carskadon and colleagues found that in the 10th grade:  On a typical school morning, the students woke up earlier for high school, but only 25 minutes earlier instead of the 65 minutes reflected in the start time change.  Sleep onset times did not change, and averaged about 10:40 pm in both 9th and 10th grade.  The average amount of sleep on school nights fell from 7 hours 9 minutes to 6 hours 50 minutes, which is significant because the students were already accumulating a sleep deficit.  Nearly one-half of the 10th graders showed a reversed sleep pattern on the morning MSLT. This pattern is similar to the sleep disorder narcolepsy, moving immediately into REM sleep before non-REM sleep. The 12 students who showed this pattern did not have narcolepsy, but they did have a mismatch between their school day waking times and their circadian rhythms. Indeed, at 8:30 in the morning, they fell asleep within three minutes.  None of the students made an optimal adjustment to the new schedule; none was sleeping even 8 ¼ hours on school nights.

"Even without the pressure of biological changes, if we combine an early school starting time-- say 7:30 am, which, with a modest commute, makes 6:15 am a viable rising time--with our knowledge that optimal sleep need is 9 ¼ hours, we are asking that 16-year olds go to bed at 9 pm. Rare is a teenager that will keep such a schedule. School work, sports practices, clubs, volunteer work, and paid employment take precedence. When biological changes are factored in, the ability even to have merely 'adequate' sleep is lost,"Carskadon explains.

Collaborating in the Best Interests of Students Many schools across the country are working to synchronize school clocks with students’ body clocks, so that teens are in school during their most alert hours and can achieve their full academic potential. Working to bring school start times in line with teens’ sleep needs presents a number of challenges and opportunities. Individual communities can vary greatly in their priorities and values; factors to consider include bell schedules of elementary and middle schools; transportation; athletic programs and extracurricular activities; use of schools for community activities; student employment; and safety issues for younger students who either may be waiting for a bus in the dark or need supervision of older siblings after school. There are also safety issues for older students, since violent activities, sex, recreational use of

50 alcohol or drugs, and criminal and other risky behaviors frequently occur between 2 and 4 pm, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is also important that any consideration of a school start time change takes into account the impact on families, including transportation, dependence on teens’ income, chores and other family responsibilities, and teens’ mood and behavior at home.

Changing a school’s start time involves a wide array of people--parents, teachers, students, principals, school boards, superintendents, counselors and healthcare professionals, among others. The impact is felt at a community level, but it is also felt individually, and the individuals who are affected need to have their views heard and acknowledged so that discussions can move forward in search of common ground.

Obviously, moving bell times is one major step in a larger picture of ensuring that adolescents get the sleep they need. It will not put more hours in the day, so it is important for teens to know about their sleep needs and have the skills to make a conscious effort to get a good night’s sleep. Many teens assume they are expected to function with a lack of sleep, but sleep is not optional; it is biologically necessary. If sleep is incorporated into educational efforts, teens will be armed with information that will enable them to use a later school start time to their advantage.

School Start Time Initiatives and Outcomes In 2014, National Sleep Foundation (NSF) worked with U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren to introduce legislation that addresses the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being and performance.

NEWTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE INITIATIVE

Over the past several years, the Newton administration has been reviewing its school bell schedules with the intent to revise the High School start times consistent with the research. The following represents several options which appear to be the most favorable while having the least impact on either the middle or elementary schools.

BELL SCHEDULE ALTERNATIVES

The following represents the current school start and end times, the typical pick up and drop off times, the length of the school day and the route length with the first pick and last drop off times:

51 CURRENT SCHOOL SCHEDULES Based on the Longest School Day

SCHOOL START END SCHOOL A.M. TIER P.M. TIER DAY NEWTON SOUTH 7:40 3:20 7'40" 45 45

NEWTON NORTH 7:50 3:20 7'30" 45 45

OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:00 2:30 6'30" 10 30

DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:05 2:35 6'30" 15 25

BIGELOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:15 2:45 6'30" 25 15

BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:30 3:00 6'30" 40 20

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 8:20 3:00 6'40" 30 20

FINDING: Those times highlighted in red indicate a relatively small amount of time between school schedules for transportation purposes. These times are even less when community and school traffic considerations are considered.

CURRENT SCHOOL DROP OFF & PICK UP TIMES

SCHOOL EARLIEST SCHED. LATEST DROP OFF ARRIVAL BUS TIME TIME DEPARTURE NEWTON SOUTH 7:15 3:30 3:40

NEWTON NORTH 7:15 3:30 3:40

OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 7:40 2:30 2:40

DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 7:45 2:35 2:45

BIGELOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:05 2:45 2:55

BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8:20 3:00 3:10

52 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 8:20 3:00 3:10 OPTION - (Not Feasible)

6 7 8 9 Total 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 Run I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Time 1 BUS AA 7501 35 2 BUS BB 901 7102 6301 55 3 BUS CC 1503 1501 7512 6703 45 Grade Level or Sch. Start End 4 BUS DD 1502 3301 4301 70 5 BUS EE 2101 0101 6101 45 Elementary 7:50 2:30 6 BUS FF 0104 6507 6707 50 Brown 8:00 2:30 7 BUS GG 3901 SO43 6709 75 Bigelow 9:00 3:30 8 BUS HH 3303 4903 7510 60 FA Day 9:00 3:30 9 BUS II 4305 7105 6702-A 60 Oak Hill 9:00 3:30 10 BUS JJ 6501 0501 7513 65 Newton North 8:30 3:15 11 BUS KK 6502 4502 6701 65 Newton South 8:30 3:15 12 BUS LL 6503 3101 6705 65 *Would require large number of additional 13 BUS MM 6504 7508 60 buses. 14 BUS NN 6505 7503 70 15 BUS OO 6506 3302 6702-B 65 May be able to allow for 15 minute spread between high schools but buses will need to drop 16 BUS PP 6508 7504 45 early at South to make next run. 17 BUS QQ 6509 4701 7106 6303 45 18 BUS RR 6511 4302 6305-A 6104 75 Middle school Boston buses would need to change sharing method 19 BUS SS Horace-M 7103 6305-B 50 20 BUS TT OPEN ROUTES Horace-M 7101 6304-B 70 Private school morning routes would remain as is 21 BUS UU 7104 60 may have a few problems in the afternoon. 22 BUS VV 7502 55 This scenario leaves very little room between tiers. 23 BUS WW 0701 6304-A 60 24 BUS YY 7505 70 Elementary Boston METCO routes would be starting as early 6:00am, Boston Brown bus 25 BUS AB SO41 70 would start at 5:45am 26 BUS AC 4901 7109 6102 40 27 BUS AD 7500 85 28 BUS AE JA01 80 29 BUS AF JA02 75 30 BUS AZ SO40 80 31 BUS AG 7507 40 X BUS AH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 X BUS AJ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 60 X BUS AK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 35 32 BUS AL 7506 50 33 BUS AM 0103 6302 55 34 BUS AP JA05 60 * = Extra buses added to transport to swing space during renovations 01 ANGIER 45 WARD BM BRIMMER & MAY, CHESTNUT HILL 05 BOWEN 47 WILLIAMS FE FESSENDEN 07 BURR 49 ZERVAS JA JACKSON, COUNTRY DAY, MT. ALVERNIA 09 CABOT 61 BIGELOW SO SOLOMON SCHECHTER 15 COUNTRYSIDE 63 F. A. DAY 21 FRANKLIN 65 BROWN 25 HORACE MANN 67 OAK HILL # OF BUSES USED BY GRADE LEVEL # OF ROUTES PER GRADE LEVEL 29 LINCOLN-ELIOT 71 NORTH HIGH 31 MASON RICE 75 SOUTH HIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 23 + 3 shared ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS25 - 24 33 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING B ELL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 23 MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 29 39 PEIRCE T TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 21 HIGH SCHOOLS - 21 43 UNDERWOOD W WALKBACK PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 6 PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 5

Red bar indicates latest start time for any school as 9:00 a.m.

FINDING: In order to meet their schedules, many buses have to drop students off early at their respective schools in the morning and are late for school pickups in the afternoon. Any significant improvement in the actual pickup and drop off times would require a change in school bell schedules or the utilization of additional buses.

Over the course of several months, we reviewed a number of options, some of which had been considered and rejected by the administration. Several of the options considered had little impact on elementary and middle school start times in the morning, but had a significant impact on the afternoon routes. Because of the different length of the school day between schools, the afternoon available transportation tier time was compressed. In addition, due to the private school afternoon transportation schedules there were fewer buses available in the afternoon for public school use. Other options resulted in significant student ride times and/ or significantly more buses. However, we did identify several options which were worthy of consideration:

OPTION - (Not Feasible) 8:30am SCENARIO - NPS MORNINGS BARCHART 2020-2021

OPTION (8:30 HS Start Time) IMPACT CURRENT TIMES REVISED TIMES School Level Start End Day Start End Day Elementary 8:20 3:00 6’40” 7:50 2:30 6’40” Brown 8:30 3:00 6’30” 8:00 2:30 6’30” Bigelow 8:15 2:45 6’30” 9:00 3:30 6’30” FA Day 8:05 2:35 6’30” 9:00 3:30 6’30” Oak Hill 8:00 2:30 6’30” 9:00 3:30 6’30” Newton North 7:50 3:20 7’30” 8:30 3:15 6’45” Newton South 7:40 3:20 7’40” 8:30 3:15 6’45”

 Would require 15 additional buses ($1,498,500)  Afternoon Middle School METCO buses would need to change sharing method.  Private school morning routes would not change, but there may be a slight scheduling problem in the afternoon.  This option leaves very little time between tiers for future changes.  Elementary Boston METCO routes would be starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and Boston METCO Brown MS bus would start at 5:45 a.m. FINDING: This option was not seen as feasible.

54 FEASIBLE OPTION 1 SCENARIO ONE - NPS MORNINGS BARCHARTS 2020-2021

6 7 8 9 Total 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 Run I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Time 1 BUS AA 0101 7501-A 35 2 BUS BB 6301 901 7102 55 3 BUS CC 6703 1501 7512 45 4 BUS DD 4301 4305 7103 70 Grade Level or Sch. Start End 5 BUS EE 6302 6101 4502 7101 45 Elementary 8:10 2:50 6 BUS FF 6707 6507 7503-B 50 7 BUS GG SO43 1503 7506-B 75 Bigelow 8:05 2:35 8 BUS HH 6502 7503-A 60 Brown 8:20 2:50 9 BUS II 4701 7109 60 FA Day 7:55 2:25 Oak Hill 7:50 2:20 10 BUS JJ 6702 6503 7513 65 11 BUS KK 6701 1502 7104-B 65 Newton North 9:00 3:45 12 BUS LL 6705 3101 7508 65 Newton South 9:00 3:45 13 BUS MM 6709 3302 60 14 BUS NN 0501 7509-B 70 Afternoon routes would remain as is today only earlier for some schools. 15 BUS OO 3301 65 16 BUS PP 6303 6506 7507-B 45 Problem with Private school. They would either 17 BUS QQ 6508 7108 45 need to allow for earlier drop off or change their 18 BUS RR 6305 6104 4302 7105 75 start times as well to match the bus schedule or the district would need to add six buses. 19 BUS SS 6501 7505-A 50 20 BUS TT 6304 0701 7505-B 70 Potential Cost of 6 Buses ($ 599,400) 21 BUS UU 6504 7507-A 60 22 BUS VV 4901 7504 55 23 BUS WW 6102 2101 7107 60 24 BUS YY 6509 7509-A 70 25 BUS AB SO41 0104 7500-A 70 26 BUS AC Horace-M 7513 40 27 BUS AD 6511 7104-A 85 28 BUS AE JA01 6505 7501-B 80 29 BUS AF JA02 3901 7106 75 30 BUS AZ SO40 3303 80 31 BUS AG Cabot 7500-B 40 X BUS AH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0907* X X X X X X 20 X BUS AJ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0903* X X X X X X 60 X BUS AK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0904* X X X X X X 35 32 BUS AL 0103 7506-A 50 33 BUS AM 4903 7510 55 34 BUS AP JA05 7502 60 * = Extra buses added to transport to swing space during renovations 01 ANGIER 45 WARD BM BRIMMER & MAY, CHESTNUT HILL 05 BOWEN 47 WILLIAMS FE FESSENDEN 07 BURR 49 ZERVAS JA JACKSON, COUNTRY DAY, MT. ALVERNIA 09 CABOT 61 BIGELOW SO SOLOMON SCHECHTER 15 COUNTRYSIDE 63 F. A. DAY 21 FRANKLIN 65 BROWN 25 HORACE MANN 67 OAK HILL # OF BUSES USED BY GRADE LEVEL # OF ROUTES PER GRADE LEVEL 29 LINCOLN-ELIOT 71 NORTH HIGH 31 MASON RICE 75 SOUTH HIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 25 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 2425 33 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING B ELL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 20 MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 25 39 PEIRCE T TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 22 HIGH SCHOOLS - 22 43 UNDERWOOD W WALKBACK PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 5 PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 5 Red bar indicates HS start time, buses should drop at least 10 minutes earlier

FEASIBLE OPTION 1 IMPACT

CURRENT TIMES REVISED TIMES School Level Start End Day Start End Day Elementary 8:20 3:00 6’40” 8:10 2:50 6’40” Bigelow 8:15 2:45 6’30” 8:05 2:35 6’30” Brown 8:30 3:00 6’30” 8:20 2:50 6’30” FA Day 8:05 2:35 6’30” 7:55 2:25 6’30” Oak Hill 8:00 2:30 6’30” 7:50 2:20 6’30” Newton North 7:50 3:20 7’30” 9:00 3:45 6’45” Newton South 7:40 3:20 7’40” 9:00 3:45 6’45”

 Afternoon routes would remain as is today only earlier for some schools.  Problem with Private school. They would either need to allow for earlier drop off or change their start times as well to match the bus schedule or the District would need to add 6 buses ($599,400).

55 FEASIBLE OPTION 2 SCENARIO TWO - NPS MORNINGS BARCHARTS 2020-2021

6 7 8 9 Total 5 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 Run I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Time 1 BUS AA 0101 7501-A 35 Red bar indicates HS start time, buses should drop at least 10 minutes earlier 2 BUS BB 6301 901 7102 55 Purple bar indicates earliest start time for any NPS bus route, earliest is 6:55am 3 BUS CC 6703 1501 7512 45 4 BUS DD 4301 4305 7103 70 Grade Level or Sch. Start End 5 BUS EE 6302 6101 4502 7101 45 Elementary 7:55 2:35 6 BUS FF 6707 6507 7503-B 50 7 BUS GG SO43 1503 7506-B 75 Bigelow 7:50 2:20 8 BUS HH 6705-B 6502 7503-A 60 Brown 8:05 2:35 9 BUS II 4701 7109 60 FA Day 7:40 2:10 Oak Hill 7:35 2:05 10 BUS JJ 6702-B 6503 7513 65 11 BUS KK 6701-A 1502 7104-B 65 Newton North 8:45 3:30 12 BUS LL 6705-A 3101 7508 65 Newton South 8:45 3:30 13 BUS MM 6709 3302 60 14 BUS NN 0501 7509-B 70 Afternoon routes would remain as is today only earlier for some schools. 15 BUS OO 6701-B 3301 65 16 BUS PP 6303 6506 7507-B 45 Some Middle schools in the first tier would need to be dropped off 17 BUS QQ 6508 7108 45 15-20 minutes before the start of school instead of the standard 10 18 BUS RR 6305-A 6104 4302 7105 75 minutes. 19 BUS SS 6501 7505-A 50 Problem with Private school. They would either need to allow for 20 BUS TT 6304-B 0701 7505-B 70 earlier drop off or change their start times as well to match the bus 21 BUS UU 6504 7507-A 60 schedule or the district would need to add 6 buses. 22 BUS VV 4901 7504 55 23 BUS WW 6102 2101 7107 60 This does not include any ELL stops for Oak Hill which would possibly result in a much earlier start for those routes/students. 24 BUS YY 6509 7509-A 70 25 BUS AB SO41 0104 7500-A 70 26 BUS AC 6304-A Horace-M 7513 40 27 BUS AD 6511 7104-A 85 28 BUS AE JA01 6505 7501-B 80 29 BUS AF JA02 3901 7106 75 30 BUS AZ SO40 3303 80 31 BUS AG Horace-M 7500-B 40 X BUS AH X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0907* X X X X X X 20 X BUS AJ X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0903* X X X X X X 60 X BUS AK X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0904* X X X X X X 35 32 BUS AL 0103 7506-A 50 33 BUS AM 6702-A 4903 7510 55 34 BUS AP JA05 7502 60 * = Extra buses added to transport to swing space during renovations 01 ANGIER 45 WARD BM BRIMMER & MAY, CHESTNUT HILL 05 BOWEN 47 WILLIAMS FE FESSENDEN 07 BURR 49 ZERVAS JA JACKSON, COUNTRY DAY, MT. ALVERNIA 09 CABOT 61 BIGELOW SO SOLOMON SCHECHTER 15 COUNTRYSIDE 63 F. A. DAY 21 FRANKLIN 65 BROWN 25 HORACE MANN 67 OAK HILL # OF BUSES USED BY GRADE LEVEL # OF ROUTES PER GRADE LEVEL 29 LINCOLN-ELIOT 71 NORTH HIGH 31 MASON RICE 75 SOUTH HIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 23 + 3 shared ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 26 33 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING B ELL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 23 MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 29 39 PEIRCE T TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 31 HIGH SCHOOLS - 31 43 UNDERWOOD W WALKBACK PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 6 PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 5

FEASIBLE OPTION 2 IMPACT

CURRENT TIMES REVISED TIMES School Level Start End Day Start End Day Elementary 8:20 3:00 6’40” 7:55 2:35 6’40” Bigelow 8:15 2:45 6’30” 7:50 2:20 6’30” Brown 8:30 3:00 6’30” 8:05 2:35 6’30” FA Day 8:05 2:35 6’30” 7:40 2:10 6’30” Oak Hill 8:00 2:30 6’30” 7:35 2:05 6’30” Newton North 7:50 3:20 7’30” 8:45 3:30 6’45” Newton South 7:40 3:20 7’40” 8:45 3:30 6’45”

 Afternoon routes would remain as is today only earlier for some schools.  Some Middle School in the first tier would need to be dropped off 15-20 minutes before the start of school instead of the standard 10 minutes.

56  Problem with Private school. They would either need to allow for earlier drop off or change their start times as well to match the bus schedule or the District would need to add 6 buses ($599,400).  This Option does not include any ELL stops for Oak Hill which would possibly result in much earlier start times for those routes/students.

FEASIBLE OPTION 3 AM SCENARIO THREE - NPS MORNINGS BARCHARTS 2020-2021

6 7 8 9 Total 10 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 00 05 10 Run I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Time 1 BUS AA 7501 0101 35 Red bar indicates latest start time for any school as 8:50 a.m. 2 BUS BB 6301 7102 901 55 Purple bar indicates earliest start time for any NPS bus route, earliest is 6:55am 3 BUS CC 6703 7512 1501 45 Grade Level or Sch. Start End 4 BUS DD 4301 4305 70 5 BUS EE 6302 6101 4502 45 Elementary 8:50 3:30 6 BUS FF 6707 6507 50 7 BUS GG SO43 1503 75 Bigelow 8:05 2:35 8 BUS HH 7510 6502 60 Brown 9:00 3:30 FA Day 7:55 2:25 9 BUS II 7105 4701 60 Oak Hill 7:50 2:20 10 BUS JJ 6702-B 7513 6503 65 11 BUS KK 6701-A 1502 65 Newton North 8:10 2:55 12 BUS LL 6705 3101 65 Newton South 8:10 2:55 13 BUS MM 6709 7508 3302 60 Would require minimum of two additional buses 14 BUS NN 7503 0501 70 for high schools. 15 BUS OO 6701-B 3301 65 16 BUS PP 7504 6506 45 Allows the two Boston METCO high school buses to continue to cover a morning elementary 17 BUS QQ 6303 7106 6508 45 school route. 18 BUS RR 6305-A 6104 4302 75 19 BUS SS 6305-B 7103 6501 50 Private school morning routes would remain the 20 BUS TT 6304-B 7101 0701 70 same. 21 BUS UU 7104 6504 60 ELL stops for Oak Hill may need earlier start for 22 BUS VV 7502 4901 55 those routes/students. 23 BUS WW 6102 2101 60 24 BUS YY 7505 6509 70 This scenario leaves very little room for 25 BUS AB SO41 0104 70 movement in time and ridership and may require additional buses as traffic worsens and ridership 26 BUS AC 6304-A 7109 Horace-M 40 grows . Alternative would be to start middle and high school routes earlier if ridership capacity 27 BUS AD 7500 6511 85 allows but times do not. 28 BUS AE JA01 6505 80 29 BUS AF JA02 3901 75 Requires some middles schools to be dropped early. 30 BUS AZ SO40 3303 80 31 BUS AG 7507 Cabot 40 X BUS AH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0907* 20 X BUS AJ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0903* 60 X BUS AK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0904* 35 32 BUS AL 7506 0103 50 7107 OPEN ROUTE 33 BUS AM 6702-A 4903 55 7509 OPEN ROUTE 34 BUS AP JA05 60 * = Extra buses added to transport to swing space during renovations 01 ANGIER 45 WARD BM BRIMMER & MAY, CHESTNUT HILL 05 BOWEN 47 WILLIAMS FE FESSENDEN 07 BURR 49 ZERVAS JA JACKSON, COUNTRY DAY, MT. ALVERNIA 09 CABOT 61 BIGELOW SO SOLOMON SCHECHTER 15 COUNTRYSIDE 63 F. A. DAY 21 FRANKLIN 65 BROWN 25 HORACE MANN 67 OAK HILL # OF BUSES USED BY GRADE LEVEL # OF ROUTES PER GRADE LEVEL 29 LINCOLN-ELIOT 71 NORTH HIGH 31 MASON RICE 75 SOUTH HIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 23 + 3 shared ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS25 - 24 33 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING B ELL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 23 MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 29 39 PEIRCE T TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 21 HIGH SCHOOLS - 21 43 UNDERWOOD W WALKBACK PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 6 PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 5

57 FEASIBLE OPTION 3 PM PM BARCHART FOR FEASIBLE OPTION 3 2020-2021

2 3 4 5 6 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Run I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Time 1 BUS AA 6305 0101 115 2 BUS BB 7500-A 0901 6306 -Day 60 3 BUS CC 6703 7513 1504 * New OH late bus * New OH late bus 70 4 BUS DD 4301-Big 4301-Und. Ward 6199 - BIG 100 5 BUS EE 6302 7102 0701 120 6 BUS FF 7503-A 6507 SO45 Tue., Wed., Thur. 7192 - North 60 7 BUS GG 7503-B 1505 * New OH late bus 85 8 BUS HH 6102 7104 6501 30 9 BUS II 7506 4701 130 10 BUS JJ 7509 6503 * New OH late bus BOS2 North & South 5-6:20pm 80 11 BUS KK 6702 6508 50 12 BUS LL 7504 3101 *New Br. Late bus 70 13 BUS MM 6304 3901 105 14 BUS NN 6301 7105 0501 95 15 BUS OO 6710 7505-A 3304 *New Br. Late bus 75 16 BUS PP 6708 6511 SO44 Tue., Wed., Thur. 7191 - North 125 17 BUS QQ 7502 JA04 - 3:40pm 80 18 BUS RR 6105 7103 *Split Ward off Und. *New Br. Late bus 70 19 BUS SS 7508 6506 165 20 BUS TT 6704 6505 90 21 BUS UU 6705 6502 60 22 BUS VV 6300 7106 4901 *New Br. Late bus 110 23 BUS WW 6706 7505-B 6504 150 24 BUS YY 7510 6509 BOS3 - Day/Big 65 25 BUS AB SO41 75 26 BUS AC 7500-A Horace-1 110 27 BUS AD 7507 3301 40 28 BUS AE 6701 SO43 90 29 BUS AF JA03 *New BIG late bus 100 30 BUS AZ SO40 75 31 BUS AG 6101 Horace-2 6307 - Day 105 32 BUS AH X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 75 33 BUS AJ X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 50 34 BUS AK X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 45 35 BUS AL 6303 0103 36 BUS AM 7501 4903 37 BUS AP JA06 Fess1 110 * = Extra buses added to transport to swing space during renovations 01 ANGIER 45 WARD BM BRIMMER & MAY, CHESTNUT HILL 05 BOWEN 47 WILLIAMS FE FESSENDEN 07 BURR 49 ZERVAS JA JACKSON, COUNTRY DAY, MT. ALVERNIA 09 CABOT 61 BIGELOW SO SOLOMON SCHECHTER 15 COUNTRYSIDE 63 F. A. DAY 21 FRANKLIN 65 BROWN 25 HORACE MANN 67 OAK HILL # OF BUSES USED BY GRADE LEVEL # OF ROUTES PER GRADE LEVEL 29 LINCOLN-ELIOT 71 NORTH HIGH 31 MASON RICE 75 SOUTH HIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 18 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - 31 WITH K RUNS 33 MEMORIAL-SPAULDING B ELL MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 20 MIDDLE SCHOOLS - 24 39 PEIRCE T TEMPORARY HIGH SCHOOLS - 14 HIGH SCHOOLS - 16 43 UNDERWOOD W WALKBACK PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 6 PRIVATE SCHOOLS - 6

FEASIBLE OPTION 3 IMPACT

CURRENT TIMES REVISED TIMES School Level Start End Day Start End Day Elementary 8:20 3:00 6’40” 8:50 3:30 6’40” Bigelow 8:15 2:45 6’30” 8:05 2:35 6’30” Brown 8:30 3:00 6’30” 9:00 3:30 6’30” FA Day 8:05 2:35 6’30” 7:55 2:25 6’30” Oak Hill 8:00 2:30 6’30” 7:50 2:20 6’30” Newton North 7:50 3:20 7’30” 8:10 2:55 6’45” Newton South 7:40 3:20 7’40” 8:10 2:55 6’45”

 Would require 2 additional High School Buses ($ 199,800)  Requires some middle schools to be dropped off early in the morning.  Allows 2 Boston METCO buses to continue to cover a morning elementary route.

58  Private school afternoon routes would remain the same.  ELL stops for Oak Hill may need an earlier start time for those routes/students.  This Option leaves very little room for movement in route time and ridership and may require additional buses as traffic worsens and ridership grows. Alternative would be to start the middle and high school routes earlier if ridership capacity allows and times do not.  Very little time between tiers 2 & 3. Could run late for some elementary school afternoon pickups, but would arrive by PM departure time.  With the elimination of the Mid-Day Kindergarten routes, we may be able to add late buses for the secondary schools for a better sense of equity and could have shorter routes and less sharing between schools.

CONCLUSION

 There are both community and school tradeoffs to each of the options presented.  It is important to engage your community as well as all of your stakeholders on these options.  Every community is different and Newton is unique in many ways:  Number and location of your schools  Traffic congestion  Community expectations for service quality

59 APPENDIX A

The Biology of Adolescent Sleep Research shows that adolescents require at least as much sleep as they did as children, generally 8 ½ to 9 ¼ hours each night (Carskadon et al., 1980). Key changes in sleep patterns and needs during puberty can contribute to excessive sleepiness in adolescents, which can impair daytime functioning. First, daytime sleepiness can increase during adolescence, even when teens’ schedules allow for optimal amounts of sleep (Carskadon, Vieri, & Acebo, 1993). Second, most adolescents undergo a sleep phase delay, which means a tendency toward later times for both falling asleep and waking up. Research shows the typical adolescent’s natural time to fall asleep may be 11 pm or later; because of this change in their internal clocks, teens may feel wide awake at bedtime, even when they are exhausted (Wolfson & Carskadon, 1998). This leads to sleep deprivation in many teens who must wake up early for school, and thus do not get the 8 ½ - 9 ¼ hours of sleep that they need. It also causes irregular sleep patterns that can hurt the quality of sleep, since the weekend sleep schedule often ends up being much different from the weekday schedule as teens try to catch up on lost sleep (Dahl & Carskadon, 1995).

Adolescents in Study Show Changing Sleep Patterns Since the 1970s, there has been a growing awareness of the changes in sleep patterns as children transition to adolescence. In a study at a summer sleep camp at Stanford during the 1970s, boys and girls who enrolled at 10-12 years of age were monitored every year for 5-6 years. While researchers had thought older children would need less sleep during the 10 hour nocturnal window they were given, from 10 pm to 8 am, they found that regardless of age, the children all slept about 9 ¼ of the 10 hours. As they progressed through adolescence, participants continued to get the same amount of sleep, but they no longer woke spontaneously before the end of the sleep window at 8 am (Carskadon et al., 1979). In addition, when the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)—given at designated periods throughout the day to determine the speed of falling asleep, to measure sleepiness—was given to the adolescents, they showed more alertness at 8 pm than earlier in the day, and even greater alertness at 10 pm. Also, at mid-puberty, adolescents became sleepier in the middle of the day. According to the tests, more mature adolescents showed signs of reduced alertness during the day even though they slept an equivalent amount at night (Carskadon et al., 1980).

Changes in Melatonin Another experiment, conducted by Dr. Mary A. Carskadon of Brown University, found that more mature adolescents had later circadian rhythm timing, based on melatonin secretions in saliva samples. This finding shows that melatonin secretion occurs at a later time in adolescents as they mature; thus, it is difficult for them to go to sleep earlier at night. The melatonin secretion also turns off later in the morning, which makes it harder to wake up early (Carskadon et al., 1998).

Another important finding from many studies is that the circadian timing system can be reset if light exposure is carefully controlled (Carskadon et al., 1997). In studies where adolescents

60 are paid to keep a specific sleep schedule and wear eyeshades to exclude light during evening hours, measurements of melatonin secretion show that the rhythm had moved significantly toward a designated time. This means that with time, effort, and money, researchers can get adolescents to reset their clocks. This approach, however, is not necessarily realistic for teens who have full and busy lives. Nevertheless, the interaction of light exposure and sleep timing is important to keep in mind.

A Widespread and High-Impact Part of Teens' Lives Findings of the tendency for adolescent sleep patterns to be delayed have been reported not only in North America, but also in South America, Asia, Australia and Europe (Andrade & Menna Barreto, 2002; Carskadon & Acebo, 1997; Ishihara, Honma & Miyake, 1990; Bearpark & Michie, 1987; Strauch & Meier, 1988; LeBourgeois et al., 2005; Thorleifsdottir et al., 2002). The diversity of such research supports the view that intrinsic developmental changes play a role in delayed sleep patterns in adolescents. This biological shift sets the stage for other social and environmental conditions that make it easier for these adolescents to stay awake at night and wake up sleep-deprived. The effects of changing sleep patterns are compounded by the demands older students face in academics, extracurricular activities, social opportunities, after-school jobs, and other obligations.

"Sleep isn’t a priority for teenagers, and it typically isn’t made one by parents or schools." -- Jodi Mindell, PhD, Director of Graduate Program in Psychology, St. Joseph’s University and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

61 APPENDIX B

OTHER FINDINGS

According to the National Sleep Foundation and a grass-roots coalition called Start School Later:  Biological sleep patterns shift as children grow up, and it is natural for teens to find it difficult to fall asleep before 11 p.m.  Teens need about eight to 10 hours of sleep each night to function best.  Most teens do not get enough sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2015 showed that 73 percent of U.S. high school students get less than eight hours of sleep on school nights. Forth-three percent reported getting six or fewer hours.  Many teens suffer from treatable sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, insomnia, restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea.  And with more than 40 percent of public high schools starting class before 8 a.m., polls of teens show that a third of teens report falling asleep at their desks.

So why don’t middle and high schools face reality and push back start times for teens? Here’s a look at the issues around start times and the latest research about the benefits of allowing teens to start school later in the morning.

This was written by Pamela Thacher, a professor of psychology at St. Lawrence University, and Serge Onyper, an associate professor of psychology at the New York school. Their 2016 study, published in the academic journal Sleep, found that delaying school start times can significantly improve tardiness and disciplinary problems in the classroom.

According to Pamela Thacher and Serge Onyper: You wake up at 6 a.m. to get ready for work, and if you have teenage children, you wake them up too, because they usually need to get to school by 7:30 a.m. (if not earlier). Unfortunately, kids then sleepwalk their way to classes and really don’t start functioning till lunchtime.

There is little doubt that youth, especially teens, are “wired” physiologically and neurologically to prefer distinctly later sleep times than those preferred by adults. We’ve known about biorhythms for decades.

The science is out there, so why should it surprise us that early school start times affect children’s and teenagers’ health, safety and academic performance? Some school districts have pushed back high school start times, but most haven’t. Why not?

Here’s a thumbnail of the research:  We have studied start time changes over a full year, noting changes to sleep, mood, health and academics in a high school that delayed start time by 45 minutes. We found

62 that later start times lead to improved sleep, as well as reductions in tardiness and dramatic improvements to behavior problems.  Other studies have shown that later start times are associated with improved attention rates, higher student retention, improved mood and health, and even a reduction in vehicle accidents during school commute times.  And another study found that the ability to concentrate and pay attention may improve when schools start later.  There is some limited evidence that student grades may improve, although the findings from our study did not reveal improvements in standardized test scores or academic achievement. This was perhaps because many variables can impact grades, such as class size, teacher quality, parent support, school facilities, student commitment and more — none of which change when schools delay start times. Resistance to changing start times has several sources. Some parents and teachers say that students need to operate on adult schedules, in preparation for post-high- school life. These parents and teachers therefore may resist changes because they fear that later start times amount to “spoiling” or “coddling” students who can’t function easily early in the morning.

Then there are perceived (and actual) increases in transportation costs. Although school districts might spend more because they have to change bus schedules, this isn’t a certainty. For example, some schools have kept transportation costs level by consolidating bus routes across all district schools.

Objections also arise when schools consider after-school athletics programs: Later start times may mean that athletic fields might need to be lit. And later schedules might result in early dismissals to accommodate athletic travel to games or to special practices. With flexibility on the part of the staff and coaches, schools have found that these obstacles can also be overcome.

It’s important to keep in mind that the data clearly shows that what is gained in schools or districts that switched to later start times outweighs the costs: Students function better academically, physically and emotionally when start times are after 8:30 a.m.

Perhaps we have reached a tipping point when U.S. schools finally will wake up themselves and make this important change. At least, it seems there is reason for optimism.

For the first time in its history, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine last year issued a position statement, stating that middle and high school students should start school no earlier than 8:30 a.m. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the past two years have all recommended restoring traditional — as in later — school start times.

These professional organizations are basing their stances on compelling research showing unmistakable benefits to schoolchildren from middle school to high school. It’s time for parents, teachers and school administrators to listen and act.

63 APPENDIX C.