CCSD21 to convene district-wide transportation committee to examine hazardous bus routes, congestion issues

With plans to keep in place for the new school year all bus routes that were in operation during the 2022-2023 school year, Community Consolidated School District 21 intends to engage in a comprehensive review of its transportation routing and systems to determine what, if any, long-term modifications should be considered by the board of education.

As such, a district-wide transportation committee will be formed and interested parents from across CCSD21 will be invited to participate in that effort.

The district must annually review its existing bus routes and make a determination on those deemed "hazardous" for the coming year. The return of crossing guards at two locations along Arlington Heights Road - crossing guards had previously been in these spots until 2015 and 2017, respectively - caused the need for consideration of a proposal to remove three recently added bus routes based upon the rules and regulations of the Illinois Department of Transportation and the State of Illinois.

"We do agree there remain valid questions regarding the traffic around both schools and we acknowledge that removal of the routes in question could serve to exacerbate that problem," said CCSD21 Superintendent Dr. Michael Connolly.

The committee will take a comprehensive look at the entire district transportation process and the impact of adding or removing hazardous designations to particular areas. Included in this review will be the impact of these potential solutions on the educational program of the district. Connolly said the committee will form as the new school year begins, and will reconvene in the winter to early spring with some recommendations on how to proceed. This may include keeping the status quo, or enhancing or scaling back on some services.

That work may include examining parking lot design, of which the district has already worked with traffic engineers and considered potential reconfigurations in certain schools. There are certain buildings slated for review this year.

More information on the formation of the committee will be provided as the 2023-2024 school year gets underway.