As we prepare for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year, I want to share an important update regarding student transportation and daily schedules that will directly affect our elementary and middle school communities.
Currently, students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are transported together on the same bus routes. While this practice has helped consolidate transportation services, it has created two significant concerns that must be addressed:
Bus OvercrowdingCombining all K–8 students on a single bus route has resulted in consistently overcrowded buses. This compromises student safety and creates a challenging environment for bus drivers and aides to effectively manage behavior and maintain order.
Developmental Separation and Behavior ConcernsThere is a significant developmental gap between elementary-aged students and their middle school peers. Transporting these two age groups together has led to increased occurrences of inappropriate behavior, peer conflicts, and behavioral issues stemming from mismatched maturity levels.
Disciplinary ImpactData from the 2024–2025 school year indicates that approximately 20% of all school-day disciplinary infractions occur during student transportation. Many of these incidents involve interactions between older and younger students that could be prevented with age-separated transport.
Bullying PreventionBy separating age groups on the bus and reducing crowding, staff will be better able to supervise and manage student behavior. This enhanced oversight is expected to reduce incidents of bullying, especially those between developmental peer groups.
To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, at the July 8, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, by Board action, the Sacaton Elementary School District will implement a dual bus schedule starting with the 2025–2026 school year. This means that elementary and middle school students will ride separate buses based on their school enrollment. In turn, each school will operate on a staggered daily schedule (see below).
Elementary students (Grades K-4) will get picked up and dropped off at approximately the same time as in previous years, but the Middle School students (Grades 5-8) will get picked up a half-hour later and dropped off a half-hour later than in previous years.
Once again, there is a half-hour difference in the Elementary and Middle School Bus Schedule. The Elementary will ride the early bus that will be arriving at your stop at approximately the same time as last year. A second route will come back and pick up middle school students approximately a half hour later than the elementary school pick up. Transportation Director Lisa Pauli-Lake will send each household a pick-up and drop-off schedule. If you have any questions, please contact the Director at (520) 562-8600.
Parents dropping students off, may drop off their elementary students first and then the middle school students. Middle school students arriving earlier due to drop off will be directed to the middle school cafeteria for extended study time until middle school buses arrive.
2025–2026 Daily School Schedule
Elementary School (K–4)
Monday – Thursday
School Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday (Early Release)
School Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Middle School (5–8)
Monday – Thursday
School Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Friday (Early Release)
School Hours: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
We understand that this change may require families with students in both schools to adjust their morning and afternoon routines. However, this shift is essential to improving the safety, behavior management, and overall experience of our student riders.
We appreciate your partnership and flexibility as we make these important adjustments to better serve our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school office or the Transportation Department at (520) 562-8600.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students’ success and safety.