Transportation Changes for the 2023-2024 School Year

For the last several years, school districts across the country have struggled with a shortage of bus drivers, including the Liverpool Central School District. 

While focusing on getting students to and from school each day, the district found itself struggling at times to provide buses for extra-curricular activities, such as athletic events, practices and field trips.

In April, the LCSD Transportation Department surveyed parents about their anticipated plans for  transportation next school year. The department used the results of that survey to create a 2023-2024 transportation plan that would allow the district to:

• Balance the number of buses being used for morning and afternoon routes 
• Alleviate traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal times at each school (addressing safety concerns brought forward by staff and parents, specifically at the Morgan Road Complex)
• Free up buses and drivers for additional student opportunities (such as modified sports shuttle runs and field trips)
• Prevent delayed start times for athletic games and contests

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Transportation Department will add a fourth tier to its morning bus schedule:

• Tier 1: Liverpool High School and OCM BOCES
• Tier 2A: Chestnut Hill Middle, Liverpool Middle, Morgan Road Middle and Soule Road Middle
• Tier 2B: Chestnut Hill Elementary and Liverpool Elementary 
• Tier 3: Donlin Drive Elementary, Elmcrest Elementary, Long Branch Elementary, Morgan Road Elementary, Soule Road Elementary and Willow Field Elementary

The district will continue with a three tier system during its afternoon bus schedule:

• Tier 1: Liverpool High School and OCM BOCES
• Tier 2A and 2B: Chestnut Hill Middle, Liverpool Middle, Morgan Road Middle and Soule Road Middle, as well as Chestnut Hill Elementary and Liverpool Elementary
• Tier 3: Donlin Drive Elementary, Elmcrest Elementary, Long Branch Elementary, Morgan Road Elementary, Soule Road Elementary and Willow Field Elementary

These changes will have a impact on bell times for all schools:

• Liverpool High School: 7:30 a.m. to 2:19 p.m.
• Chestnut Hill Middle, Liverpool Middle, Morgan Road Middle and Soule Road Middle: 8 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
• Chestnut Hill Elementary and Liverpool Elementary: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Donlin Drive Elementary, Elmcrest Elementary, Long Branch Elementary, Morgan Road Elementary, Soule Road Elementary and Willow Field Elementary: 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

The Liverpool Central School District wanted to share this information now so that families have time to make plans for the start of school in September. 

Families who have students attending MRE and SRE, and now need to make a change to their babysitter requests, can resubmit their babysitter affidavit forms until August 1. Download the babysitter in the same enrollment area form here. For babysitter requests outside the attendance area, download the form here.

If families need assistance with childcare in the morning, please contact BASCOL at 315-622-4815 or visit the BASCOL Web site.

As always, the Transportation Department is still recruiting bus drivers and bus attendants. Visit the Liverpool Central School District Human Resources Web site to apply. No experience necessary and the district will provide you with training.

If you have any questions about being a bus driver or bus attendant, please contact the Transportation Department at 315-453-0287.