The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board (ISD 196) approved earlier start times for two large elementary schools as part of bus service changes, despite parent pushback.
On Monday night, the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board approved shifting start times at Woodland Elementary School and East Lake Elementary School from 9:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., but with a twist from the proposal on the table. The board delayed the change from this fall to the 2027-2028 school year to allow families more time to plan for the impacts.Play Video
District leaders said they do not have enough drivers to cover routes despite what they described as extensive hiring efforts. The district said the changes are meant to help the same number of drivers pick up more students in shifts.
“By moving dismissal nearly two hours earlier, the district is creating exponential demand for after-school care that simply does not exist,” a parent said.
The School Board also voted to make bus service opt-in in the fall and to eliminate it for some magnet schools, among other changes.
District representatives said Woodland Elementary and East Lake Elementary were chosen because of their locations and the need for more routes. The district also acknowledged that the time changes affect 1,500 students and their families, and some may have to change schools to accommodate it.
District leaders said canceling daily routes is not sustainable. They said that by the end of February, bus service for 1,000 students or more was canceled on average each day.
“It was really about, what can we do to make sure we’re getting every student to school,” Superintendent Michael Bolsoni said.
The district said a driver shortage this year has been the biggest contributing factor to the problem, adding that it’s a nationwide issue. A spokesperson also noted route cancellations increased around the time Minnesota Paid Leave went into effect.
