The Bismarck Public School Board (BPS) voted to switch to a two-tiered school bus system next year. They considered parent feedback, an outside study, community forums and surveys to address challenges like bus driver shortages, budget constraints, long bus routes and delayed pickup times.

In December, the board got a recommendation from the Bismarck Public Schools (BPS) Operational Excellence Committee and leaders to adopt the system. The system staggers school start times for different groups of kids and will maximize efficiency by allowing buses to run multiple routes.