increased our bus routes by three, totaling 94 routes,” he notes. Investing in facility maintenance is another critical area for BTPS. “Maintaining numerous small community schools requires significant financial resources. Our operating budget allocates about $6 million for this purpose, with $2 million dedicated to custodial costs alone. This ensures our schools remain clean, safe, and functional,” Neale adds. CULTIVATING EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, the onboarding and continuous professional development of teachers is a top priority, ensuring that staff are wellequipped to deliver high-quality education.Assistant Superintendent Trodden explains the meticulous process: “Our stakeholders emphasized the importance of highly effective staff, and the Board has incorporated this into our education plan, investing significantly in it. We onboard new teachers with a dedicated day focused on building on their strengths, a process that continues throughout their careers. We host two full division learning days for robust instruction and five learning days at the school level.” BTPS employs innovation coaches who work alongside teachers, aiding in lesson planning and classroom instruction.“These coaches guide teachers 340 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
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