Transportation
Transportation Changes Are Coming
We're working to create a smarter, more efficient transportation system to serve students for years to come.
Learn More About Busing For 2026-27
The district is facing a budget shortfall of more than $5 million for 2026-27 and transportation is one of our largest cost drivers. By increasing our efficiency, we’re able to help reduce costs while continuing safe, reliable service for students.
Here's an overview of changes families can expect to see next fall:
Transfer Bus Model
Thank you to the families who have reached out regarding the proposed transportation changes for next year.
As we continue to plan for next fall we are working to refine the model. The concept shared in February reflected an initial routing framework designed around maximizing system efficiency. As planning has progressed, we are working to keep district secondary students off of elementary bus routes. Our commitments remain clear:
- High school routes will operate within the same overall pick-up window as this year.
- Age-level groupings will remain consistent whenever possible.
- Student safety and supervision remain non-negotiable.
We will share additional details once the plan is finalized. We appreciate your patience and input as we complete this planning process.
Elementary Schools Start Moves Closer to 8 a.m. for Next Year
To support the new transfer model, elementary school hours may push back start times slightly. We anticipate new school hours would be 7:55 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Our secondary school hours will remain the same. Hours for charter and non-public schools will also be adjusted. More details will be shared later this spring.
Walk/No Bus Zones
For next year, the district reevaluated and updated our walk/no bus zones to ensure they align with transportation guidelines.
In previous years, some areas were measured using drive distance or drive time rather than actual walking routes. This review incorporated existing sidewalks, trails, and safe walking paths within ½ mile of elementary schools and 2 miles of secondary schools.
As a result, some students who previously received busing may now fall within the updated walk zone and will no longer qualify for transportation. Families will be notified of any changes to their busing status prior to the end of the 2025-26 school year.
One Pick-Up and One Drop-Off Per Student
Each student will have one morning bus stop and one afternoon bus stop. This reduces duplicate stops, improves route accuracy, and helps ensure buses are used efficiently. Families with shared custody or unique circumstances will be supported through the Transportation Opt-In process this spring.
For more information, check out the FAQs webpage.
Getting students safely to school and home again
The district is committed to providing safe, efficient transportation in compliance with Minnesota state laws, rules, and regulations. Our district provides transportation to students living within the district boundaries – both public and non-public/charter students – who are eligible for district transportation:
- Students in grades preK–5 who live more than ½ mile from school
- Students in grades 6–12 who live more than 2 miles from school
New students who requested transportation during enrollment and current families that opt-in for transportation in PowerSchool, are scheduled for busing each year.
Private/charter school students must register for transportation each year and should coordinate busing through their current school.
Get the MyRide K12 app
Bus route information and LIVE bus tracking is available through the My Ride K-12 app. Search for it in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
We're Here To Help
Need to change your address? Pause service? Get help with a busing issue? Fill out a ticket for faster service.
Contact
Transportation Department:
651-351-8377
schoolbus@stillwaterschools.org
Busing provided by:
Schmitty & Sons
651-309-4601
Transportation Information
- Annual Transportation Opt-In
- Guidelines for Bus Routes and Stops
- General Transportation FAQs
- My Ride K-12: Bus Schedules and Tracking
- Ridership Expectations
- Private/Charter Schools Transportation
- Special Education Transportation
- Transportation Reimbursement
Annual Transportation Opt-In
Each spring Stillwater Area Public Schools requires every family with students attending public, private and charter schools who need transportation to "opt in" for bus service for the next school year. This helps our transportation department provide reliable and efficient transportation for our students.
- Public Schools: Families must complete the Transportation Verification Form, located in PowerSchool, by the spring deadline to secure a spot on the bus for the first day of school.
- Private/Charter Schools: Families must complete the Charter/Private Transportation Request by the spring deadline for each child to secure a spot on the bus for the first day of school. More information is available by contacting the student's school.
Families that do not complete the form will not be routed on a bus for the following school year.
If you miss the deadline or need to update your response, you can do so at any time by submitting a Help Desk Ticket. Please note that it takes 3-5 days after your submission to add your student to a bus route. Responses times are longer during the summer as we prepare for the start of the school year.
Guidelines for Bus Routes and Stops
Walk/No Bus Zones
A walk/no bus zone is the area around a school where busing is not provided.
- Elementary walk/no bus zone = ½ mile (This is less restrictive than the state’s 1-mile maximum)
- Secondary walk/no bus zone = 2 miles (This is set at the state’s maximum)
Distance is measured using the district’s routing software and is calculated from the student’s street address to school property. Walk/no bus zones are used in school districts across the state and are reviewed annually to incorporate safe walking routes, including sidewalks, trails, and walking paths within the designated distance.
In the event district staff identify hazardous roadways within a walk/no bus zone, transportation is provided. Hazard determinations are made by the district based on factors such as traffic volume and speed, lack of sidewalks or safe crossings, road design, and other safety considerations. Not all busy or inconvenient roads meet the district’s hazard criteria.
Determining Bus Routes
Routes are designed based on geography, safety, timing, student population, route flow, and capacity. Stops can be placed up to a ½ mile from a student’s home to create more centralized locations. We strive to limit changes from year to year. We also understand that specific stops may need to be re-evaluated because of road speeds, line of sight, and other criteria. Routes are reviewed annually and may change mid-year.
Bus Stops, Cul-de-sacs, and Dead-End Roads
To maintain safe and efficient routes, buses do not enter most cul-de-sacs, dead-end roads, or small pocket neighborhoods with roads that are less than ½ mile in length. Instead, centralized stops are identified that meet district guidelines and allow buses to navigate safely.
Bus stops are mostly located centrally to balance safety, efficiency, and ride time. General criteria include:
- Students typically walk no more than 2,640 feet (about 1/2 mile) to a bus stop.
- Buses do not travel on private property.
Bus/Van Stop Criteria
The following is some basic criteria the transportation team uses when reviewing and monitoring its van/bus routes.
- All stops use the school bus 8-light system and stop arm, unless otherwise documented.
- Full-sized buses need 115–120 feet to safely turn and will not enter cul-de-sacs unless serving students with disabilities.
- No bus will travel on private roads without prior approval.
- Stops should offer at least 500 feet of clear visibility in both directions.
- Bus stops are spaced based on the speed limit of the road to allow ample stopping distance for other vehicles, which increases the safety of students loading or seated on the bus. Speed limits above 35 mph will have a minimum of 900 feet between bus stops. Speed limits below 35 mph will have a minimum of 300 feet between stops.
- Buses may load/unload in right-turn lanes only when the eight way stop arms are used and no students are required to cross the roadway.
- Stop locations are evaluated individually; student count is not a sole factor.
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Bus stops are not located in commercial areas, unless there is a residential component to the development.
- Bus stop locations may not be visible from the child’s home.
- Parents must teach their children a safe walking route to the bus stop.
- Sidewalks and street lights are not criteria for stop placement.
- Stop safety considers visibility for drivers, road speed, timing, obstacles, route flow and efficiency.
- Ride times may be up to 75 minutes, but most are kept under 60 minutes. Adding stops significantly extends route times and increases costs.
- A bus driving by a home or daycare does not justify moving or adding a new stop.
- Students must arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled time. The My Ride K–12 app provides real-time arrival estimates.
District Boundary Map
An interactive School boundary map can be found on our website.
General Transportation FAQs
What happens if a bus is late?
Plan on buses to arrive between five minutes before or five minutes after the scheduled time. For lengthy delays, the transportation department sends email updates, however consider downloading the My Ride K-12 app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to track a student's bus. Login information is available on the student info tab in Powerschool.
The app compares GPS data to routing data to show where a school bus is located and what time it is expected at stops. Please note: to ensure the safety and security of students, in the event of a vehicle breakdown or accident, school bus drivers are not authorized to release students without prior district approval. The district communicates with families in the event of a significant delay in transportation. Please do not utilize the app to attempt to intercept student(s) along the route.
Is there a lost and found for items left on the bus?
Get in touch with the transportation provider Schmitty & Sons directly if a student leaves personal belongings on the bus. They can be reached at 651-309-4601.
Can students be picked up somewhere other than home?
Each student is allowed:
- One morning bus stop within the school’s transportation area
- One afternoon bus stop within the school’s transportation area
If a student needs to be transported to and from a daycare location, or from another parent or guardians home within the enrollment area where bus service is provided, fill out a help desk ticket. Please note it takes up to 5 days to make a change.
What should I do for address changes?
Fill out a help desk ticket to update a home address or change in childcare.
My Ride K-12: Bus Schedules and Tracking
Stillwater Area Public Schools uses the My Ride K-12 app, a free mobile app available in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
The app is our primary method of communication regarding transportation. The app will provide you with the most up-to-date route information, and you can also select to receive push notifications with any changes or delays. You can also track your child’s bus in live time through the app.
Instructions to Download The App
- Download My Ride K-12 from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- After the app installation is complete, open My Ride K-12.
- Click "Register" to create a My Ride K-12 account.
- To register, enter a personal email address (not the district-issued email), a password, and name.
- After registering, a confirmation email is sent. Tap on the link in the email to confirm registration through the My Ride K-12 website.
- When prompted to find a school district, search for "Stillwater" and select Stillwater Area Public Schools 834.
- Once the district is selected, proceed to the login page.
- Log in, then find a student by going to "My Students" and choosing the + button. This presents the Add Student screen.
- Add a student by entering the student's ID number and birthday. How to find Student ID number
Share MyRide K12 with family members
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Press the Share button to share a student link with someone
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Enter the email of the person you would like to share with. That person must register with My Ride K-12.
- They will receive a confirmation email that will automatically link them to the shared student
Receive Push Notifications
My Ride K-12 can send notifications about the bus's estimated time of arrival (ETA) to a bus stop. Make sure to turn on the notifications that your family wants to receive. This can be done in the Settings of your My Ride K-12 account.
- Early Arrival Notification – A notification will be sent when a bus is running three or more minutes early.
- Late Arrival Notification – A notification will be sent when a bus is running three or more minutes late.
- Arriving Soon Notification – A notification will be sent when a bus is within two minutes of arriving at the stop.
How to read your bus schedule in the app
Type: IN = the inbound trip to school (from left to right)
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From: pick-up location (letters in brackets show which direction the door of the bus will be facing when the stop is made)
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Time: scheduled pick-up time
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Bus: number/name
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Days: which days of the week - MTWHF (T=Tues and H=Thurs)
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To: school building or program name
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Time: drop-off time at building/program
Type: OUT = the outbound trip from school (from left to right)
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From: school building or program name
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Time: scheduled departure time
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Bus: number/name
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Days: which days of the week - MTWHF (T=Tues and H=Thurs)
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To: drop-off location (letters in brackets show which direction the door of the bus will be facing when the stop is made)
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Time: scheduled drop-off time
Please check the schedule carefully, as students may be scheduled on a different bus in the afternoon than in the morning, and times may vary by day.
Ridership Expectations
All students who ride a bus are subject to rules and regulations set forth by the State of Minnesota and the District’s School Board. A violation of those rules may result, depending on frequency and severity, in suspension of bus riding privileges. The school bus is considered to be an extension of the classroom.
If a student misbehaves, the driver has several options available. A driver may pull the bus over, give a verbal warning, assign seating, write a conduct report, or a combination of all of these. Any notification of discipline will come from the school. Drivers only generate reports, they are not responsible for deciding the results of those reports. Schools have a principal or assistant principal in charge of student conduct forms and bus discipline.
Before they can be hired as a school bus driver, an individual must pass a criminal background check and their driving record is scanned for violations. As part of their training, each school bus driver is given instruction in student management. Every driver knows their primary responsibility is the safety of each child on their bus. When a student misbehaves, it can distract the driver from the safe operation of the bus.
Can a child lose his/her bus riding privileges?
In Minnesota, riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. Each local school district has adopted rules of conduct for waiting at the bus stop and for riding the school bus. If a child does not follow the rules, that student could lose his/her bus riding privileges for the entire school year.
Before the Bus Arrives
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Be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
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Wait in a safe place, at least 20 feet off the roadway.
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Drivers will wait 1–2 minutes after the scheduled stop time.
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Parents are responsible for their child's safety at the bus stop and when not riding the bus.
Boarding and Riding the Bus
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Obey the driver at all times.
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Communicate any issues or concerns directly to the driver.
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Always listen to the driver, especially during emergencies.
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Seat assignments may be made at the driver’s discretion. Drivers have the right to move students for safety reasons.
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Remain seated with your feet on the floor while the bus is in motion.
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Use lap/shoulder belts if provided, as required by Minnesota Statute 169.447.
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Keep all body parts and objects inside the bus and to yourself.
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Do not throw objects inside the bus or at the bus.
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Do not distract the driver—your safety depends on it.
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Keep the noise to a minimum: no yelling, screaming, or loud talking.
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Be courteous and respectful: no profanity, rude gestures, or fighting.
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Be respectful of others.
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Do not eat or drink on the bus (due to cleanliness, choking, and allergy concerns).
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No smoking, tobacco products, or spraying of perfume, body spray, or other products on the bus.
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Keep all harmful objects off the bus.
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Do not litter, write on the seats, or damage the bus. Report any vandalism to the driver.
Training and Safety Rules
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All students (K–10) must complete school bus safety training within the first 6 weeks of the school year.
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Each family should read the District Handbook annually for updates and changes for the upcoming school year.
Private/Charter Schools Transportation
Private/charter school students who attend St. Croix Prep, St. Croix Catholic and New Heights are eligible for district transportation. Families must register for busing each year through their current school. Any changes during the school year should be requested in our help desk ticketing system and families must follow up with their school.
Special Education Transportation
- We follow Individual Education Plan (IEP) approved transportation accommodations.
- IEP approved bus stops are usually more centrally located at the home address when possible
- Special education buses may use hazard lights at house stops. SPED students are not to be crossing the roadway unless the student(s) are accompanied by an adult, and buses will not enter driveways.
- One consistent AM and one consistent PM stop are required (e.g., home and daycare).
- No temporary changes are allowed unless in an emergency and pre-approved by the transportation department.
- Buses do not enter private driveways unless a yearly agreement is signed by the school district and homeowner for liability.
- Property owners must keep loading areas clear of snow and ice in winter at the bus stop location.
Transportation Reimbursement
Residents of the Stillwater Area Public Schools, who elect to send children to non-public schools outside of the boundaries of the school district, may receive reimbursement for transportation.
Transportation Reimbursement Guidelines:
- Families who choose to send their child to a non-public school outside the Stillwater Area Public Schools District will NOT be eligible for transportation reimbursement if a comparable non-public school exists within the district.
- Siblings attending the same eligible non-public school will receive a maximum of one reimbursement per family.
- Siblings attending different eligible non-public schools will receive reimbursement for each school attended.
- Reimbursement is limited to one school per vehicle.
- Reimbursement is based on the mileage from your home to the nearest Stillwater Area Public Schools District boundary, not the full distance to the school.
This application, including proof of insurance, must be submitted to the District Transportation Office by Feb. 1 of the current school year. Reimbursement check will be mailed in July after the school year once we receive verification of attendance from the school attended.
Funds are also available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students that participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions. Families may also apply for reimbursement for students participating in PSEO education off of the Stillwater Area High School campus.
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