leaders. In addition, interstate construction and traffic collisions can quickly snarl traffic and make it difficult for routes to stay on schedule. Similar problems can arise when students move. “Over the summer, our team works to plan routes in
advance, but address changes, especially within our special education population, can significantly im- pact those plans,” Silverthorn shared. “Many of these students require individualized stops near or at their residence, so even a small shift in addresses may mean moving, adjusting or creating entirely new routes.” Staff also coordinate transportation for students re-
ceiving services throught the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Every Student Succeeds Act. These students could be transported across district lines to maintain school stability, often on short notice. Since staffing and vehicle availability can be tight, each change in ridership or routing requires careful sched- uling to ensure the right resources are in place. “It’s a complex and time-sensitive process,” Silver- thorn explained. “But our goal is always to make sure
every student has safe, reliable transportation from day one.”
Planning for a Smooth Start-Up To limit start-up problems, Kang in Los Angeles
suggests beginning with the “why,” which means always doing the right thing for families. “From there, leaders can build on the expertise of their subject matter experts and strengthen existing processes rather than reinventing them,” he said. “While serving new groups of students can stretch capacity, it also provides an opportunity to test sys- tems, refine procedures and make improvements that ultimately benefit the entire school community.” Oregon’s Calkins advised that preparation is the
foundation of a successful school year. “It means providing training, showing patience, supporting your staff, stepping in where you can and always being available,” she concluded. “Know your team, lis- ten to them, validate them, and let them know they matter.” ●
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