Preparations for the 2026-2027 school transportation season are continuing, with the next major milestones set to take place this week, according to an update sent Monday from the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA).

Officials announced that the second transportation bid of the season is scheduled for Thursday, while a fifth round of route renewals will also be distributed in the coming days.

The LSTA said that initial route plans for the upcoming school year have already been sent to some schools for review and feedback. Additional schools will receive their proposed routes once all required documentation for the 2025-2026 school year has been submitted through the family portal.

Parents are being urged to log in to their accounts at LakewoodSTA.org and ensure that all required forms have been completed. Officials said that timely submission of forms will help schools review routes and finalize transportation arrangements more efficiently.

The update also highlighted several upcoming deadlines. Nearly all schools have now submitted enrollment lists for girls entering ninth grade, and students’ names should be visible in family portals. Parents seeking non-mandated transportation for incoming ninth-grade girls must opt in by June 15.

In addition, newly identified ineligible students who reside in Lakewood must opt in within 24 to 48 hours of receiving notification. Families who do not respond within that timeframe will be automatically opted out.

LSTA also reminded parents that transportation funding decisions are determined by each individual township board of education.