The Berlin Area School District serves a large geographic area that covers portions of three counties and 14 municipalities, which is relatively large compared with other districts and requires a variety of methods for all students to get to school. While it is ultimately the responsibility of each parent or guardian to ensure their children safely get to school on time and return home at the end of the school day, the district is required by state law to transport eligible public and private school students to and from school.
Who is eligible to receive district transportation?
According to state statute 121.54, every school board shall provide transportation to and from public school for students who reside in the school district and live two miles or more from the nearest public school they are entitled to attend. In addition, public school districts are required to transport students who attend private schools within the school district boundaries who live two miles or more from the private school they attend.
The following link will take you to a map of the busing boundary: Bus Eligibility Map
All addresses contained outside the map boundary are eligible for district transportation to Clay Lamberton Elementary, Berlin Middle School, or Berlin High School. For specific information on transportation for private school students, contact the private school.
The district also provides transportation for students with disabilities who have transportation needs identified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, or health plan.
Students who are in the 4K program, whether full day or half day, follow the same rules as all other students with one exception. Students who are in the half day 4K program are eligible for transportation in the middle of the day to and from school, regardless of the distance from their home or childcare setting to school.
Who provides transportation for eligible students?
The district partners with Northern Express Bus Service to provide most of the district’s transportation needs. Northern Express is located in Berlin, Wisconsin, and we are thrilled to continue working together to provide safe bus transportation.
If your child is eligible for bus transportation, you must review the Berlin Area School District Student Transportation Handbook and complete the Student Transportation Contract. These two documents are linked below:
Student Transportation Handbook
Student Transportation Contract
It is important to note that although a student may be eligible for transportation, it is the parent’s responsibility to request transportation, complete the necessary form, and help ensure their child follows all transportation rules and expectations.
If you have questions about the busing map, bus routes, handbook, student contract, or other bus related questions, please contact:
Northern Express
(920) 361-2877
email: dholmes@northernexpressbus.com
Who funds district transportation?
The state provides categorical aid to help school districts pay for a portion of the cost of transporting students living two miles or more from the school they attend. The state does not cover any of the costs of transporting students who live less than two miles from school. The district’s general budget including federal, state, and local dollars fund most other transportation for extracurricular activities, special education transportation, and other transportation needs.
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