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KEARNEY — Kearney Public Schools (KPS) will implement changes to its student transportation policy beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
The district is revising the process for accepting riders to better align with state requirements and ensure transportation services are provided equitably and efficiently.
- First Priority – Transportation will first be assigned to students who meet any of the following criteria:
- Reside more than 4 miles from their designated “home school”.
- Are classified as homeless or in-transition under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Have been involuntarily transferred to another school due to enrollment capacity
- Live within the previous Glenwood attendance area – for the 2025-2026 school year only
- Attend a specific school to receive specialized district services
- Receive special education services and require transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP). This registration is conducted separately through the school buildings and the students’ IEP case manager.
Following the placement of first-priority riders, second-priority riders will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. This change emphasizes the importance of timely registration for families seeking transportation services.
Student registration for bus transportation will open on May 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Parents are encouraged to register early to secure a spot for their student. Registration details, including the Handbook and Registration Forms, will be available on the KPS website, can be completed in the Transportation Office at 1011 W. 20th Street, or upon request can be emailed to families.
The deadline to register for transportation is Friday, July 25 and all families will be notified of their child’s acceptance for transportation on July 30, 2025.
“This policy change ensures that we are meeting legal obligations while also providing a fair and transparent process for all other families seeking transportation,” said Jason Mundorf, Superintendent of Kearney Public Schools. “We strongly encourage families to register early to be considered for available space.”
For more information on KPS transportation policies, contact the Transportation Office at 308-698-8260.
