2022-23 Proposed Solutions

The district considered a variety of possible solutions to address the transportation challenges. Below are several schedule options that were in 2022-23.

Current Bell Schedule

Middle schools: 7:50 a.m.-3:10 p.m.

High schools: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Elementary schools, Harmony and Heartland early childhood centers: 8:20 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

Please note: “Single” indicates an individual driver’s ability to complete one route, “Double” indicates an individual driver’s ability to complete two routes, and “Triple” indicates an individual driver’s ability to complete three routes. The drop off and pick up times, as indicated in the gray boxes, are best estimates and are subject to change. However, the district is committed to maintaining a maximum of 50-60 minute route times on any given bus route.

2022-23 Proposed Solutions

Option A
Option A Bell Schedule
- High schools and Prairle Learning Center: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Middle schools and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
- Elementary schools and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 8:40 a.m.-4 p.m.
Option A: Benefits and Concerns

Benefits
- Fully staffed with current driver count and current student registrations
- 100% sub pool available — no office staff driving
- Reduce ride time and capacities – safer routes, manageable for drivers
- Increased flexibility with high school and middle trip needs, including The Spot
- Potential for out-of-town field/activity trips
Concerns
- District growth may require additional drivers
- Day shuttle window may adjust Assisted Transportation fleet
Option B
Option B Bell Schedule
- High schools and Prairie Learning Center: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Middle schools and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
- Elementary schools and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 8:55 a.m.-3:55 p.m.
Option B: Benefits and Concerns

Benefits
- Fully staffed with current driver count and current student registrations
- 98% sub pool available — no office staff driving
- Reduce ride time and capacities – safer routes, manageable for drivers
- Minimizes time between high school and middle school schedules to support shared staff
- Increased flexibility with high school and middle school trip needs, including The Spot
- Potential for out-of-town field/activity trips
Concerns
- District growth may require additional drivers
- Day shuttle window may adjust Assisted Transportation fleet
- Extending walking distance to bus stops for high school and middle school students would increase total number of triple routes and reduce driver requirement
Option C
Option C Bell Schedule
- High schools and Prairie Learning Center: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Elementary schools and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
- Middle schools and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 8:50 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
Option C: Benefits and Concerns

Benefits
- Almost fully staffed with current driver count and student registrations
- 90% sub pool available — some office staff driving
- Reduce ride time and capacities – safer routes, manageable for drivers
- Additional driver hours attractive for recruitment
Concerns
- District growth will require additional drivers
- Limited availability for middle school sports
- May require additional special education routes for 2nd Tier (elementary)
- Day shuttle window may adjust Assisted Transportation fleet
- High school swim and dive seasons – increased time between high school and middle school schedules
- Middle school outdoor athletics late fall and early spring
Option 1
On Thursday, March 23, the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education held a special workshop to continue discussions on the bell time study. No action was taken at the meeting, but rather, this was a time for board members to discuss the potential change in bell times as a group. View the full presentation in PDF format

Based on community feedback since the March 3 Board of Education meeting, three additional bell schedule options were shared with the board for their consideration at the workshop. See additional option 1 below.

Option 1 Time Alignment
- High school and Prairie Learning Center: 7:40 a.m.-2:40 p.m.
- Middle school and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8:25 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
- Elementary school and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Option 2
On Thursday, March 23, the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education held a special workshop to continue discussions on the bell time study. No action was taken at the meeting, but rather, this was a time for board members to discuss the potential change in bell times as a group. View the full presentation in PDF format

Based on community feedback since the March 3 Board of Education meeting, three additional bell schedule options were shared with the board for their consideration at the workshop. See additional option 2 below.

Option 2 Time Alignment
- High school and Prairie Learning Center: 7:40 a.m.-2:40 p.m.
- Elementary school and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8:25 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
- Middle school and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Option 3
On Thursday, March 23, the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education held a special workshop to continue discussions on the bell time study. No action was taken at the meeting, but rather, this was a time for board members to discuss the potential change in bell times as a group. View the full presentation in PDF format

Based on community feedback since the March 3 Board of Education meeting, three additional bell schedule options were shared with the board for their consideration at the workshop. See additional option 3 below.

Option 3 Time Alignment
- Middle school and Prairie Learning Center: 7:40 a.m.-2:40 p.m.
- Elementary school and Harmony Early Childhood Center: 8:20 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
- High school and Heartland Early Childhood Center: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

2022-23 Proposed Solutions

Current Bell Schedule

2022-23 Proposed Solutions

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3