AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD is considering getting rid of some schools’ normal bus routes and moving to a new centralized pickup model in order to help with the district’s $92 million budget deficit.
The district is considering using the centralized model at four admission-based magnet schools: Kealing and Lively middle schools, the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders and the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA).
According to KVUE’s media partners at the Austin American-Statesman, providing busing for the 3,500 magnet students eligible for district transportation at the four schools costs the district about $4 million and the more streamlined transportation hub model could cut costs by around $1.2 million.
The new model would reduce the number of door-to-door bus stops and instead have families pick up their kids at centralized regional bus stops.
Any changes wouldn’t go into effect until the 2025-26 school year. The district has a survey available online for families to share their input. The survey closes on Feb. 7.