The newly-formed Ypsilanti Community Schools begin classes next Tuesday. The district results from the merger of the former Ypsilanti and Willow Run districts. Last year, each district faced bussing and transportation issues, in large part due to student crossover in the separate districts. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the transportation system for students is expected to run more smoothly this academic year.
With the start of school just a few days away, Ypsilanti Community Schools parents may be wondering how transportation will be handled in the new district. Superintendent Scott Menzel says the number of busses and routes that'll be needed depends on the number of students who actually use transportation. Menzel says consolidation will make it possible to streamline a process that last year had Willow Run students attending schools of choice in Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti students going to school in Willow Run.
Menzel says the exact number of busses and routes won't be finalized until after the first few weeks of school, so district officials get a good grasp on the number of students that require transportation.