Transportation
The Transportation Department transports more than 22,000 students every school day on 220 district-owned buses. Our mission is to support the education process by transporting students safely, reliably and efficiently to and from school and school events. If you have questions please call us at 651-423-7685.
Transportation Eligibility
Service distances for transportation are one mile and further from school for elementary students and 1.5 miles and further for middle and high school students as defined in section 1 of Policy 707, Student Transportation. These service distance criteria also apply to students attending the district’s magnet schools and all non-public school students. Minnesota law requires school districts to provide transportation to any student who lives 2 miles and further from their assigned school.
A student’s distance from school, as referred to in Policy 707, section 1.4, is defined as the shortest distance from the student’s residence (where the front of the property meets the street), by reasonably safe walkway, street or highway that is accessible to the public, to the curb-step or walkway at the assigned entrance of the school the student attends. If any portion of where the front of the residential property meets the street is outside the walking distance, the student will be provided busing to and from school.
Request to Ride Existing Buses for Interdistrict Transfer Students
Request to Ride Existing Buses for Intradistrict Transfer Students
Contact
Karen Dayon,
Coordinator of Transportation
Transportation@district196.org
651-423-7685
Location
Transportation Department
15180 Canada Avenue
Rosemount, MN 55068
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Did you know?
- District 196 maintains approximately 220 vehicles, which is the largest district-owned bus fleet in the state.
- We employ more than 280 drivers, chaperones, vehicle technicians and transportation office staff.
- District 196 transports more than 22,000 students to and from school each day.
- District buses travel more than 2.5 million miles each year.
- All buses must pass rigorous state inspections each year.
- All buses have two-way radios for constant contact with the Transportation Department.
- Bus evacuation drills are held twice a year at all grade levels.
Or call 651-423-7685 to inquire about open positions!
2022-23 School Year
Postcards will be mailed August 15, 2022, to families of students eligible to receive transportation to and from school during the 2022-23 school year.
The postcard includes information on bus stop locations and pick-up/drop-off times. Parents and guardians who do not receive a postcard and believe their child is eligible to receive transportation can call the Transportation Department at 651-423-7685. The district also offers optional transportation service for a fee for students who do not qualify based on the current service distances.
Bus stop information is also available through the Infinite Campus Parent portal. Click on “More,” then “Transportation.” This information is updated nightly to reflect any changes to bus routes and stops.
Optional transportation service for a fee is available to families whose children are not eligible for free transportation based on current service distances.
Optional bus service is $300 for the entire school year
The annual cost is $300 per student, with a $600 family maximum. Families whose children qualify to receive free or reduced-price school meals receive the service for a discounted rate. State law requires districts to provide transportation for students living two miles or more from their school and for students who receive special education services and require transportation as part of their individual education program. Districts are allowed to charge a fee for transportation provided within the two-mile minimum radius, except transportation for individuals with special needs.
District 196 offers better service than required by state law. The starting point for elementary service is one mile from school and for middle school and high school service it is one and one-half miles. Students living within these distances from their school are not eligible for free transportation, except those who would, if they were to walk to school, need to cross a railway or roadway defined by district regulation as hazardous. Families whose children are not eligible for free transportation service based on distance or hazardous crossings have the option to purchase it.
Questions? Call 651-423-7685.