State law requires public school districts to provide free transportation to all students living two miles or more from their school. Mounds View Public Schools meets this requirement. In addition, the District offers a fee-for-service option. All students who do not live in the “walk area” and reside less than two miles from their school have the option for bus service by paying the fee. A “walk area” is less than one mile for secondary school students and half a mile for elementary students.

What is the fee for service?

A fee-based option is available for those students who live less than two miles from school and not within the walk area. The fee is $225 per student with a family cap of $500 per year. Fees may be paid by check or online with a credit card. For more information and detailed instructions, please visit mvpschools.org/transportation. The due date for 2023-24 bus registration is June 8, 2023.

How do you determine the two-mile service area?

The two-mile zones are determined by geographical mapping that considers the most direct street routes between schools and homes. While there are many different tools for measuring distances, the District’s transportation software will be the official standard for applying the transportation rules. For more information, email transportation@mvpschools.org.

Why not charge all students a bus fee?

State Law (MN Statute 123B.88) requires districts to provide free transportation to all students living two miles or more from their school. Any bus service for students who live within two miles of school exceeds the state-mandated requirement. The District is providing service within two miles, for a fee, to accommodate parents’ requests for transportation assistance.

Can students within a walk area receive bus service?

A walk area is less than one mile for secondary school students and half a mile for elementary students. Students who live within these distances cannot receive transportation.

When will I get my bus pass?

Bus passes will be mailed to homes before the first day of school. Parents and guardians will also be able find the most up-to-date student bus information in ParentVUE in late August. Bus drivers will have rosters on their buses to ensure students are boarding the correct bus.

Do I need to register my student to ride the bus?

Maybe. Our registration process is changing for the 2023-24 school year, which means many students do not need to register for bus service. Visit mvpschools.org/transportation to find out if you need to register.

Is transportation available to daycare facilities?

If a student’s daycare facility is beyond two miles of the school, transportation will be free. If the facility is within two miles of the school, transportation will be available for a fee.

Can my child ride home with a friend or use another bus stop?

No. Students can only ride their scheduled bus and must get on and off at their assigned stop only.

Are there opportunities for financial assistance?

Families who qualify for Educational Benefits can receive a fee waiver. Applications for Educational Benefits are available at your child’s school, at the District Nutrition Services Office (651-621-6025) or at
mvpschools.org/educationalbenefits.

Are masks required on buses?

Masks are not required on Mounds View Public Schools buses.

Who can receive transportation?

By law, the District is required to offer free transportation to resident students who live two miles or more from school.

*Walk Area provision: Fee-based bus service is not available if the distance from home to school is less than one mile for secondary school students, half a mile for elementary students and 1,400 feet for kindergarten students.
**Daycare provision: If a student’s daycare provider is within the school’s attendance area, transportation is available as follows. Free transportation is available if the daycare provider is located two miles or more from school. Fee-for-service transportation is available if the daycare provider is located within two miles of school.

Look for more information at mvpschools.org/transportation or email transportation@mvpschools.org.