Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Transition in Transportation: Moving from Cabs to Buses as a Community

Bryan Seck

Homeless Outreach Specialist

Lincoln Public Schools

NAEHCY 2015

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Superintendent's Message

All means all-

“They are all our kids”

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Why are we here?

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Why are we here?

•Safety•Timeliness•Cost•Stigma

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Youth Development Team•Support student and parent access and use of district and community resources•Diverse team to support students across the district

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln Public Schools Demographics• Almost 40,000 students*• 493 homeless in 2013-2014• 38 elementary, 11 middle, 6 high school buildings• Alternative Programs and Buildings

• 67% White• 13% Hispanic• 7% Two or more races• 6% African American• 5% Asian

• 44% Free/reduced lunch• 84% graduation rate * LPS Statistical Handbook

Lincoln:•90 square miles•No suburbs- one district•Only bus if farther than 4 miles from home school

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

LPS Homeless Student Transportation• Traditionally, cab as first option

• Two-three students per cab• Two companies in Lincoln• On average, $15,000-$20,000 per month

• $350,000/year

Public Transportation

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

LPS Homeless Student Transportation• Issues:

• Missed instructional time due to late pickup/drop off time

• Safety for student in accident• Background checks on drivers• Unknown structural safety of car• Stigma• Cost

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Our teamSherri Johnson, Youth Development Team SecretaryCharles Stratham, Route SupervisorBill McCoy, Director of Transportation and Custodial Services

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Changing the System in 12 months: Collaboration and Communication1) Students and parents responded to bus utilization

• October-December 2013• Positive reception- kids just want to be normal and stable

2) Initial Transportation conversation on capacity• Reached capacity adding homeless students to routes• Transportation motivated to find solution for all students

3) Administration communication• January 2014• Communication with Associate Superintendent

4) Mapping the need• 90% in a 4 miles radius- we didn’t know this before

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Google Map of LPS Homeless Students

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Changing the System in 12 months: Collaboration and Communication5) Planning request to school board

• April 2014: Administration, transportation, homeless liaison

6) Presentation to school board subcommittee• May 2014: Data-driven, sustainable plan. Saves money- $150,000/year

7) Full proposal to school board for vote• Similar presentation to full board and public. Unanimous vote.• Media attention

8) Vehicle order and planned use• October 2014: Smaller buses and minivans• Vehicles are utilized for school events/sports events to increase usage

and generate offsetting revenue• Vehicle price similar to one-year cost of cab service

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

The buses!

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

The vans!

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Changing the System in 12 months: Collaboration and Communication9) Pilot rollout

• March 2015: Started with one bus, 10 students • Expanded to 91 students in April. More than cabs for first time.

• 3 day notification for not riding

10) Full rollout: 2015-2016 School Year

“First and last classroom of the day”

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Media Coverage• http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Special-

Report--LPS-Looking-To-Bus-Homeless-Students-270788721.html

Homeless Student Fund in LPS Foundation- ask for help!

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Lessons Learned1) Hiring drivers is hard

• Continued need for cabs with difficulty of hiring drivers• Training for cab drivers on working with students

2) Communication key to implementation• Homeless liaison and transportation representative• Mobility and constantly increasing numbers• Shared transportation with other districts• Google doc shared with schools

3) Continued need for some cabs• Long routes• Reaching capacity- and next steps!

Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln, Nebraska

Questions?

Bryan Seck

Homeless Outreach Specialist

bseck@lps.org

402-436-1963 (Office)

402-436-3440 (Cell)