Rio Rancho Public Schools will be changing school schedules for the week of Feb. 6.

The second bus rider count of the school year is Wednesday, Feb. 8, an early release day, and the district is changing the schedule that week to accurately account for transportation numbers on a typical school day. The changes don’t apply to Puesta del Sol Elementary School, Colinas del Norte Elementary School, Ernest Stapleton Elementary School or the Montessori Pre-K program at Sandia Vista Elementary School.

Feb. 8 will have the same schedule as regular school days with no early dismissal and classes will be in session for Shining Stars Preschool, which usually does not have classes on Wednesdays.

Early dismissal that week will be Friday, Feb. 10, at all participating schools with no classes for Pre-K.

The New Mexico Public Education Department requires all districts to count the number of students who ride the bus twice each school year, usually on the 80th and 120th day of the year. Because of the early dismissal schedule on Wednesdays and not having Shining Stars students in attendance, RRPS loses a significant number of bus riders in the count, which impacts transportation funding.

“While we understand that this schedule change might present a challenge for some families, we feel it is ultimately necessary to ensure we secure an accurate count of bus riders so we may receive proper transportation funding,” RRPS wrote in a release. “We appreciate your patience and continued partnership as we make this temporary schedule change.”