SPECIAL REPORT
because it was during the school year. After the dust settles maybe everyone will say if nothing else, we are getting the kids to school on time.” After switching to a four-tiered transportation system to address a student problem he encountered when he arrived at the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District near Houston 12 years ago, Rick Waltersheid went against the grain at the start of this school year by switching back to a three- tiered system to help solve a staffing problem. The district was losing teachers who were tired of work- ing late hours associated with the four-tier system. Waltersheid, who is the director of transportation and special projects, said in essence that as problems evolve, so must solutions. He also stressed commu- nications with the community. “We looked at bell schedules and said we will
recommend going to a three-tier system and make it as efficient as possible,” Waltersheid recalled. “As long as you do that and meet the expectations of the community, it’s harmony. There has to be commu-
nication between you and the community. That’s expectations and reality.” Waltersheid said additional developments that con-
tributed to the return to the three-tier system included the state-mandated extension of the school day, the growth of additional programs, and the desire of the community for the junior high students to get out of school earlier. He said that made it easier to make dental appointments, go shopping and attend sport- ing events without getting home late, all of which and more are also priorities for parents. “While everyone lauds a four-tier system, to me
that is where you start and then you bring it down,” Waltersheid said. “You’ve got to see which system will work for you. Sometimes we are in such a hurry to catch up, we don’t analyze the data. If you do not have the ability to analyze it, ask someone for help. “That’s where you’re going to save your money, in
human capital, in dollars, in increased students’ educa- tion abilities,” he continued. “You’ll make the family unit more harmonious, and teachers are happier. If your
QUAL IT Y MAT TERS
22 School Transportation News • JANUARY 2022
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