July 19, 2024
Dear Parent/Guardians & Friends of Calaveras Unified School District,
As many of you know, the financial situation in the Calaveras Unified School District (CUSD) has led to a number of budget cuts including some to the district transportation services. Due to the feedback, given to the school board and district administration by parents, and the Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC), the school board conducted a transportation study session along with a parent survey. The online transportation survey was a critical piece of information for the group to consider. Working together we have discussed numerous ideas on cost savings and community impacts.
As a result of these discussions, during the transportation study session on July 16th, the board heard the concerns from the community and considered a number of suggestions and alternatives presented by the CBAC and parents. As a result of this meeting, the board took action to adjust the most recent budget cut involving reduced routes as follows:
Afternoon runs from school to home will be available each day with the
restoration of routes that service the Jenny Lind Elementary,
Valley Springs Elementary, Calaveras High School and
Toyon Middle School students.
One important note: These routes are currently supported by “retired” bus drivers whose work status may be changed in the future by the Public Employees Retirement System. Should that rule change, it would eliminate their participation as drivers for us. These routes may again be in jeopardy of elimination. The district, unfortunately, has no control over state law. However, we are happy to report that our efforts to train and hire new drivers has been restored and we will work to have permanent drivers as quickly as possible.
The district will also be looking into establishing a parent paid morning “home to school” run. A subsequent survey to elicit interest in such an endeavor will be forthcoming.
We are encouraged by the outcome of this meeting, however, to be clear, the district’s financial situation is still a very serious concern and much more work will need to be done in the future.
Thanks to input and feedback from the community, the CUSD Board and CBAC, we were able to work together in making these transportation adjustments.
Jointly signed,
CUSD Board of Education
Community Budget Advisory Committee