Contact: Sandra Goya
Date: January 3, 2010


Back-to-School Reminders: January 2010


School Calendar
Monday, January 4, 2010 - Teacher work day (no students).
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 - Students return to school.

School Bus Policy Changes Effective January 2010
New 1.5 mile walk-out distance. Due to the continuing budget challenges faced by the DOE and escalating student transportation costs, the distance a student in grades 6-12 must reside from school in order to qualify for public school bus service will be increased from 1 mile to 1.5 miles. Maps showing the new 1.5 mile walk-out distance for schools were distributed to schools last month and are available on the DOE website. Approximately 1,100 students will be affected statewide (Kauai-150; Oahu-400; Maui-250; Hawaii-300). Motorists are reminded to drive carefully and to slow down especially in school zones.

New School Bus Fares (approved by the BOE on November 19, 2009). The school bus fare for one-way is 75 cents (up from 35 cents) and $60 for a quarterly pass (increased from $31.50). See attached .pdf for bus facts and student transportation cost history.


Discontinuation of bus service for certain Oahu high school students. The DOE will discontinue public school bussing services for high school students who reside along select Oahu island bus routes where City bussing services are available.

Visit hawaiidoe.org (doe.k12.hi.us) for additional information. http://doe.k12.hi.us/busmaps/info/index.htm

School Meal Prices Effective January 2010
New meal prices (approved by the BOE on July 16, 2009). Regular student breakfast will cost 95 cents, up from 35 cents, and reduced price student breakfast increased from 20 cents to 30 cents. Lunch will cost $2.20, up from $1.25, and reduced price lunch increased from 20 cents to 40 cents.

The 2009 Legislature amended the law on how school meal prices for students are to be determined (Act 26). The new law requires the DOE to charge students at least half the cost of preparing the meals.

-DOE-