Bus transportation will survive the axe at Wareham High School.

After a proposal to eliminate all bus transportation for students as part of a larger budget reduction plan drew criticism from the School Committee and the public on March 5, the superintendent has decided to go in a different direction to reach those cuts.

"We have a responsibility to insure students have options to get to school," said Wareham Public School Superintendent Kimberly-Shaver Hood.

The proposal, presented to the committee by Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood, was one of two options to save $163,000 next year and part of a larger budget-cutting package that would see the elimination of 31 teacher and staff positions to reach a "level-funded" budget.

Without eliminating the buses, Shaver-Hood will pursue the same reduction of $163,000 through cuts in supplies, additional staffing cuts, and running “late buses” -- for students remaining after school for extra-curricular activities or other reasons -- only once a week.

"We want our students at school," Shaver-Hood said. "Many students don't have cars, their parents work and we decided to rule that option out. Our students need to be there."

She said the pieces from every budget line are being taken as part of the budget reductions and school officials are still examining options to make the wisest choices.

"We need to be a bit more creative in looking at possible reductions," Shaver-Hood said. “This is not a pleasant situation for any of us. Our goal is to provide an education to our students.”