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McKenzie Families,
Welcome to the 2023-24 academic year!
We are delighted to have our students and families back, and we're off to a great start. We understand there are always initial adjustments, and we're truly grateful for your patience and flexibility as we dive into this school year.
We understand and are listening to the concern some parents and community members have been voicing regarding consistent and reliable student transportation. In light of past disruptions due to driver availability and illnesses, we've proactively taken measures to ensure a smooth experience for all.
This year, a new cooperative agreement is being established among Lane County districts to facilitate the sharing of transportation services. This means, if necessary, we can readily collaborate with nearby districts for substitute driver coverage, training and other transportation services. We are grateful to have such wonderful community partners, and we are all tackling this issue together.
If your student's bus route is operated by a driver from another district, you might wonder what this looks like for their transportation. Aside from the possibility that the district name on the bus will be different, there will be no significant alteration. The usual bus stops, pick-up, and drop-off schedules will remain intact. Regardless of the bus's district label, the primary focus remains – safe transportation to and from school.
As you have heard, over the last few years, finding skilled drivers has been a nationwide challenge. We are one of the smaller districts in the county, but we work hard to offer competitive wages, aligning with other schools in the area to attract and retain the best talent.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in providing the best educational experience for our students.
Go Eagles!
Mr. Tompkins,
McKenzie Schools Superintendent
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