On Thursday, June 23, families of 2022-2023 secondary students received an update on proposed Non-Transportation Zones for the coming school year.

On May 3, 2022, the WJCC Schools administration shared several key pieces of information with the School Board related to transportation services in the 2022-2023 school. There is a synopsis published on our website and the detailed presentation is available here.

In general, WJCC continues to explore methods for creating stronger and more efficient transportation options for students and families despite the challenging scenario in hiring bus drivers. One way to help the overall transportation system is to carefully examine the idea of establishing specific areas around schools where transportation will not be provided by the school division.

Using a model that other school divisions have used for several years, these designated areas are called Non-Transportation Zones (NTZ) and are almost always related to proximity/distance to the school. The current WJCC threshold for inclusion in the NTZ at the secondary level is living within 1 mile of the middle or high school.Families residing within the designated NTZ area would have responsibility for ensuring students are transported to and from school daily.

For 2022-2023, WJCC is exploring NTZ options at the secondary level (grades 6-12) only. There is a strong likelihood for a similar approach at the elementary level for the 2023-2024 school year.

Students whose bus service is classified as Special Education Transportation will continue to receive transportation services, regardless of their residence in or out of an NTZ.

Transportation routes will be developed and finalized over the next several weeks. Families that live in an area formally designated as a Non-Transportation Zone will receive direct communication from the school division in early August.