Durham School Services, a national leader in student transportation, has been operating bus services for Waukee Community School District since July 1, 2013. Durham operates approximately 50 buses for the district. Every bus features two digital video cameras to monitor student behavior, and the latest in GPS technology to provide real-time data from the road and help manage fuel consumption. All special education buses are equipped with air-conditioning.
If you have any questions regarding transportation please feel free to call the General Manager. If you have questions regarding bus fees, please call the District Office at 515.987.5161.
Forms should be mailed to:
Waukee Community School District
560 SE University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263
COVID-19 Updates
The District has been working through plans for safely transporting students as we start the school year. Similar to elements of the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) Return-to-Learn plan, we are focused on layered mitigation strategies and physical distancing when possible. With that in mind, transportation services will look different and we need to make changes from how we have typically operated.
For context, Iowa Code requires that we provide transportation to students who are outside a (2 mile) radius from their school building at the K-8 grade level, (3 mile) radius at the 9-12 grade level. Iowa Code does not require Iowa school districts to provide a pay-to-ride program.
What will WCSD continue to do?
- WCSD and our partner, Durham School Services, will work each day to provide students a safe ride to and from their school. We have always worked to keep busses clean and will increase our efforts this year by increasing the frequency of cleaning inside the busses. Busses will be cleaned and disinfected after each time students ride.
- WCSD will continue to provide transportation for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) if it is outlined in their IEP.
- WCSD will continue to provide transportation between school buildings for specialized programs as it is needed.
- There will be no changes to our practice as it pertains to daycare centers. We will examine this practice before the start of the 2021-2022 school year and communicate if we are making changes.
- We will also continue to provide transportation at no cost to students living within the described distances set out in WCSD board of education policy 702.2 if the most direct route to school would require the crossing of any of the major streets listed in WCSD board of education policy 702.2-R(1).
What will look different in 2020-2021?
Mitigation Strategies:
- Face coverings are required for all riders, staff, and drivers.
- Specific loading and unloading procedures will be implemented to reduce passing by other students.
- To the extent possible, we will limit two students to each seat. We will be assigning seats for all grade levels and requiring family members to sit together.
- Students who qualify for transportation will be issued a bus pass for the purpose of knowing who will be riding at all times. It will be a credit card size and can easily be attached to a backpack or lanyard.
- In the event that a driver or passenger has tested positive for COVID, we will follow contact tracing protocols. In addition, we will take that bus out of service for a minimum of 24 hours and will disinfect and clean it thoroughly.
Additional Information:
- All students who are scheduled for fully online education have been removed from bus routes.
- Students who are eligible to ride a school bus will only be routed to/from one address listed in Powerschool. Routing to multiple addresses will not be permitted.
- Students who are issued a parking pass at Waukee High School will not be assigned to a bus.
Changes to our Pay-to-Ride Option:
Historically, students living within one mile for K-5 and two miles for 6-12 students have been able to ride a regular district provided school bus by paying a fee. In an attempt to physically distance students as much as possible, we still need to reduce the number of riders. To do this, we will be implementing a walk-zone plan.
Walk-zones will be defined as:
- Elementary Schools living less than (.5 mile)
- Secondary Schools – grades 6-12 living less than (1.0 mile)
- Within these walk-zones, students will not be allowed to pay-to-ride.
- Distances are calculated in accordance with board policy.
Contact Information
Our bus facility is located at 605 University Ave., Waukee, IA 50263.
- Phone: 515.987.2788
- Fax: 515.987.2701
Gwen Brettman, General Manager
515.987.2788 x2248
Brenda Parker, Safety Manager
515.987.2788 x2250
Scott Plummer, Routing
515.987.2788 x2804
Elisa Kpurukoo, Operations Supervisor/Dispatcher
515.987.2788 x2184
Bonnie Tovrea, Trip Coordinator
515.987.2788 x2803
Marjorie Burnett, Student Behavior Specialist
Durham School Services Bus Driver List
