THOMASVILLE- During its June 25 meeting, the Thomasville City School Board voted to expand the system’s pupil transportation program by adding five additional routes for the 2024-2025 school year, bringing to 14 the number of bus routes to be offered within the city.
“We will be reaching out to students and their families over the next few weeks to let them know about the expanded transportation options to be offered within the city and to share information with them about how to sign up for transportation,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Dusty Kornegay.
The school board also authorized Kornegay to acquire five additional school buses, which will include a mix of new and used school buses, to support the new routes. Following the board meeting, the school system purchased two 2014 model 72 passenger Blue Bird buses and one 2025 model 72 passenger Blue Bird bus. The system anticipates delivery of a previously ordered new bus in September and an additional bus in January. Together with the existing fleet, Transportation Director Stonewall Jackson feels confident that the district can meet the transportation needs of the district for the coming year.
In addition to increasing the district’s capital projects (ESPLOST) allocation for the purchase of buses by $200,000, the district budgeted funds for new bus driver positions. Supplements will be offered for teachers and other existing employees who agree to obtain a bus license and drive a daily route.
In addition to consulting with personnel from the Pupil Transportation Division of the Georgia Department of Education, Kornegay said that the system has been assisted by the Dalton City School System, which is in the process of setting up a transportation system.
“We have listened to the lessons that the Dalton City Transportation Director has learned and have factored his input into developing our model,” Kornegay said. “We appreciate the support of everyone who has collaborated with us on this endeavor, and I know that we will continue to lean on them for ongoing support.”
“Offering additional routes will eventually increase our state funding for transportation,” Kornegay said. “Once we add routes and begin transporting eligible students, we can earn state funds to help offset a portion of the transportation costs.”
Transportation zones will be established for each of the district’s three elementary schools. While parents will continue to be able to send their children to the elementary school of their choice, transportation will be provided to the elementary school within each school’s identified transportation zone. The zones are still being developed based upon requests for transportation and available seats at each school. Parents wishing to learn more about the city school system’s transportation program should contact Stonewall Jackson at jacksons@tcitys.org.