Busing Changes Allow Glenbrook High Schools To Align Schedules

GLENVIEW, IL — Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South will be able to align their bell schedules for the coming school year, as administrators of the two high schools said they have developed a proposal to operate bus routes independently of area elementary school districts.

The finance committee of the Glenbrook High School District 225 board Wednesday reviewed changes to the district's bus pass fee, with the results of a survey on whether GBN should adopt the GBS bell schedule due to be released next week.

Proposed changes to the shared transportation arrangement with bus company First Student and fellow Northfield Township schools in districts 27, 28, 30 and 31 will provide District 225 with a "substantial benefit" for a "minimal cost increase," according to a memo from Assistant Superintendent R.J. Gravel.

The districts have coordinated transportation services since 1972 to keep costs down, as informal agreements gave way to a joint contract with a bus company, Gravel said. The current agreement to share vehicles and drivers extends through the 2019-20 school year.

Under the proposal, District 225 will remain in the shared transportation agreement, but the high schools will no longer rely on sharing vehicles with their feeder districts, according to the memo.

A draft presented to the finance committee in November determined that the revised model would cost an extra $100,130 across all districts, with the Glenbrook schools footing $35,501 of the increased cost.

According to the proposed changes to student transportation fees, the price of bus passes for the 2019-20 school year would increase by $75 (to $850 a year) for those paying full rate, $37.50 for their siblings and those paying reduced rates and with a $25 "processing fee" for those who qualify for free bus transportation. Presently, 520 students pay full fees, 74 pay a reduced rate and 415 riders receive complimentary rides, according to the district.

The district sent surveys to Glenbrook North students, parents and staff last month about the possibility of adopting the Glenbrook South schedule. An update on the results of that survey and the updated recommended fee structure are due to be presented to the board at its Feb. 11 meeting.