FAQs
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How do I find my bus route information?
Your bus stop details will be communicated via Parent Connect starting December 1. It will no longer reflect a cohort number.
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Will JBER receive full bus service?
Yes. The District is prepared to return to full bus service beginning Monday, December 5. The cohort system will dissolve at that time.
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How long does it take to train a bus driver?
- It takes about 3-5 weeks to complete the training and that is why there is a little lag in progress.
- A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is not quite enough to be authorized to drive our students safely. It’s a plus, but it still requires training. There are federal requirements that must be satisfied as well.
- The most urgent thing we can do is hire more bus drivers and bus attendants. With more, we will begin to restore our levels of bus service.
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What is the status of the hiring process?
- The District is accepting applications for bus drivers and bus attendants.
Bus attendants ride the bus and assist the bus driver. - Apply here: www.asdk12.org/bustransportation
- Volunteer positions are available as well.
- The District is accepting applications for bus drivers and bus attendants.
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What options do parents have for distance/virtual learning if they can’t get their children to school?
ASD Flex enables students to combine in-person and online learning to create schedules that are flexible, explore new abilities and interests, and offer new levels of opportunity. From family-driven homeschool learning to individual learning plans with online and in-person support, ASD Flex allows families to rethink how their students do school. Visit https://www.asdk12.org/asdflex for more information.
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Is it required by law to provide bus services?
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Alaska Statute Sec. 14.09.010. Transportation of students.
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(a) A school district that provides student transportation services for the transportation of students who reside a distance from established schools is eligible to receive funding for operating or subcontracting the operation of the transportation system for students to and from the schools within the student's transportation service area. Subject to appropriation, the amount of funding provided by the state for operating the student transportation system is the amount of a school district's ADM, less the ADM for the district's correspondence programs during the current fiscal year, multiplied by the per student amount for the school district.
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Is it required by law to reimburse families for driving their own students to school?
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No
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The District is working on providing financial support. Gas cards will be provided to families in need, and will be distributed by the schools to their school communities. Please contact your individual school for more information.
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What can families and the community do to help?
- Spread the word to anyone who might be interested in attaining their CDL and becoming a bus driver. Apply here.
- Families and our community can assist by car-pooling to reduce student pickup and drop-off congestion.
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Is ASD excusing absences if students are not able to make it to school due to transportation issues?
Yes, schools will work with families individually who are struggling to find transportation. If a student has an extended period that prohibits them coming to school, online options will also be explored with the student and family to meet their needs.
Media
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- Georgina Fernandez, KTUU: "ASD increases starting wages for bus drivers and looks to create more efficient routes" Published: November 9, 2022
- Krakow, Morgan, ADN: "Anchorage families reshuffle schedules and lose sleep as school bus driver shortage drags on" Published: October 16, 2022
- Shannon Cole, KTUU: "School district still short on bus drivers, cohorts to continue" Published: September 30, 2022
- Krakow, Morgan, ADN: "Next group of Anchorage students will get school bus service starting Monday as driver shortage continues" Published: September 10, 2022
- Shannon Cole and Georgina Fernandez, KTUU: "Still shorthanded, ASD releases update on bus driver staffing" Published: September 09, 2022
- Maxwell, Lauren, KTUU: "ASD still down 64 school bus drivers despite recent applicants" Published: August 30, 2022
- Krakow, Morgan, ADN: "Anchorage’s school bus driver shortage: How it unfolded and what we know so far" Published: August 27, 2022
- Rockey, Tim and Burke, Taylor, AlaskaNewsSource: "Active-duty airmen to drive some Anchorage school buses" Updated: Aug. 26, 2022
- Krakow, Morgan, ADN: "During Anchorage School District’s bus driver shortage, 4 trainees can’t wait to take the wheel" Published: August 25, 2022
- Klecka, Joey, AlaskaNewsSource: "Anchorage schools superintendent forecasts rough days ahead, promises improvements to student busing" Updated: Aug. 22, 2022
- Krakow, Morgan, ADN: "Alaska National Guard says it can’t help with Anchorage’s school bus driver shortage" Published: August 19, 2022
- Rockey, Tim, AlaskaNewsSource: "More than 50 bus drivers will soon be driving for ASD" Updated: Aug. 17, 2022