As the summer break begins, Northside Independent School District (NISD) in Texas is implementing a new system for school bus routes for the upcoming academic year. Parents are now required to pre-register their children for bus services, a move aimed at addressing a $35 million budget deficit and enhancing operational efficiency.

Previously, NISD provided bus stops for students residing more than two miles from their school. However, the new system mandates that parents must register their children in advance to ensure a bus stop is created in their neighborhood. This change is intended to prevent unnecessary stops where no students are present, a common occurrence in past years.

Tesilia Soliz, NISD’s Director of Transportation, explained, “We want to make sure that we are going to stops that have students in them.” Last year, over 35,000 students utilized the district’s bus services, but drivers often found themselves stopping at locations with no children waiting.

Mirna Cortez, an NISD bus driver, confirmed that not every stop had students to pick up, highlighting the inefficiency the district aims to address. Parents like Shecaniah Gray, who walks her daughter Nova to the bus stop near Culebra Road and Loop 410, were unaware of the new requirement but plan to register to ensure continued access to bus services.

Another parent, who has already completed the registration process, expressed hope that the new system will help the district save on fuel costs. While the exact savings remain uncertain, the district is committed to a transparent process that minimizes classroom impact and ensures long-term financial health.

Families, whether new or returning, must complete registration by June 30. Missing this deadline means it could take one to two weeks after the school year begins to establish a bus stop. The district has not disclosed additional cost-cutting measures, as the school board is still deliberating on the matter.

Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.