Cuts to transportation dollars are forcing a local school district to consider making significant changes to its school schedule.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Maroa-Forsyth Schools Superintendent Adam Ibbotson told the Hart Media Group, the State pro-rated its transportation funding last year, and it is becoming increasingly likely that those dollars will be cut further in the years ahead.

According to Ibbotson, this is putting a strain on his transportation budget. Cuts to mandated categoricals are already planned for next year. 

Finding a mitigation strategy for those lost dollars has been top of mind for Ibbotson. He is looking to scale back the number of buses the district utilizes by stacking bus routes. 

Additionally, school start times are also up for change with this proposal by Ibbotson. He indicates there are a lot of logistical hurdles to clear, but to make a stacked bus route plan work, they need to adjust the start of the school day at each of its campuses.

Ibbotson indicates early responses to that have been favorable. He is doing one final outreach with the community, next Tuesday, March 24, when he will host an open house to allow the community to weigh in.

With planning for the next school year underway, Ibbotson says they will be looking to make final decisions on this in the first part of April. 

Again, that meeting for next week is on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 pm at the Maroa-Forsyth Grade School.