Fall River School Committee approves leave to withdraw concerning revision to walkers and riders policy

The Fall River School Committee Monday approved a “leave to withdraw” (end discussion without a vote) on a proposal that would increase the minimum distance required for students to qualify for school transportation.

Under the current guidelines, students in grades K-5 qualify for transportation if they live 1 mile or more from their neighborhood school. Students in grades 6-8 qualify if they live 1.5 miles or more from their school.

The proposed distance adjustments that are headed to the full School Committee on Monday are as follows:

-Students in grades K-5 qualify for transportation if they live more than 1.5 miles (walking distance) from either their neighborhood school or from another school to which they are assigned. 

-Students in grades 6-8 qualify for transportation if they live more than 2.0 miles (walking distance) from either their neighborhood school or from another school to which they are assigned. 

-Students assigned to Special Programs may qualify for transportation if they are attending a program which meets walking distance criteria. 

-Special Education students may be eligible for transportation based on state regulations which are not addressed by this policy. Such transportation accommodations are determined as part of the Team process. 

-Transportation requests must be submitted by qualifying families, annually. 

-Information regarding transportation services to all students who qualify would be communicated to the families of these students in late August. This information would include bus stop assignments and schedules. 

This revised policy would go into effect beginning in school year 2026 if approved. Students who qualified for transportation in SY2025, remain housed at the same address and remain in the same school or program, will continue to be eligible for transportation. 

At Monday’s School Committee meeting, School Superintendent Tracy Curley stated that the proposed changes aren’t about decreasing transportation to students and more to do with a change in how the distance is calculated as it will no longer be the “as the crow flies” method (students don’t walk through yards to get to school). She also mentioned that if the measurements aren’t changed, it would lead to a change in policy.

Several committee members still expressed concern that it may lead to less students being eligible for bus transportation.

A leave to withdraw motion was ultimately made and passed by the committee.

The district’s transportation costs have nearly doubled from $8 million in 2021 to nearly $15.9 million in 2025.