High school routes largely eliminated

AMHERST — Amherst Schools has reduced transportation services for the 2026-27 school year, eliminating regular busing for most high school students and expanding the minimum distance required for younger students to qualify.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade must live at least two miles from their assigned school to receive district transportation. Students living within the two-mile radius will not be eligible.

The district previously provided transportation to students living more than one mile from their assigned school.

Regular transportation will not be provided to students in grades nine through 12. The exception applies to students enrolled in programs at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School.

JVS students will board a bus at Marion L. Steele High School. The bus is scheduled to arrive at 6:45 a.m. and depart at 7 a.m. It will return students to the high school at approximately 2:45 p.m.

The changes are part of the district’s approved financial reduction plan. Four bus driver positions were eliminated, leaving the district with fewer routes and reduced transportation capacity.

District officials said the new eligibility limits align with Ohio transportation requirements and are necessary to continue providing safe and reliable service with the financial resources available.

Students who qualify may be transported between their designated home bus stop and one approved alternate location. The alternate location must also qualify for transportation and be served by an established route and bus stop.

The district will not accept space-available transportation requests during the upcoming school year. Bus service will be limited to students who qualify based on their home address and the two-mile eligibility boundary for their assigned school.

Amherst Schools contracted with Transfinder to establish the two-mile boundaries. Eligibility was calculated from the front door of each school to the location of a student’s home at the street.

Two-mile maps have been posted for Powers Elementary School, Walter G. Nord School and Amherst Junior High School. Morning routes for each of those buildings are also available on the district’s transportation webpage.

Parents and guardians of eligible students are being asked to complete an opt-out form indicating whether their children will use district transportation. The information will help the district estimate ridership and finalize routes.

Transportation questions may be directed to the district’s Transportation Department at 440-988-2633.

Council rejects urban county proposal