Montgomery County school board likely to hear concerns about shorter bus routes
The school board approved increased walking distances for elementary students from one-tenths of a mile to three-tenths of a mile. Older students may now walk up to a half-mile to reach a bus stop, up from two-tenths of a mile previously. The changes are expected to save about $50,000, or the rough equivalent of a teacher salary.
There’s more at roanoke.com.
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Right, but as soon as the Parents of Bus Riding Students raise Cain at the next board meeting, the board will recant. Consider Pay-To-Play, and moving Auburn Middle School, one a revenue generator and one a major spending cut…both axed when parents whined. So, why even bother with any money saving measures? the public has figured out some of you will fold like a cheap suit when some vocal minority applies the pressure.
Comment by E William — August 7, 2012 @ 7:27 am
I think the most dangerous thing our children do is to stand in darkness on the side of our roads waiting for a bus to pick them up. I think that asking our students to now walk up to a half of a mile in darkness to get to a repositioned bus stop is the most unthought of decision our school board has ever made. All will be lost with the injury or abduction of one child. Why even consider it? Why experiment with it? Protect our children please. Find another way to fund our county shortfalls. Shutting down housing projects that would have generated millions in revenue for the shcool system on surplused lands have resulted in this unwise planning to cut costs.
Comment by Ray Roberts — August 13, 2012 @ 12:45 pm
Pay to Play was feasible. THIS is not. If I had a child in Montgomery County schools (thank goodness she’s NOT), I would be one raising “cain.” Have you seen some of the rural stops in that county?
Comment by Daryn — August 13, 2012 @ 9:50 pm
E. William is right, the bus stops will probably be restored the day after the next school board meeting. After all, why should parents take any responsibility for their children? It must be too hard to work out a deal with a group of parents to have an adult walk to the bus stop and wait with the kids until the bus comes. Better that the bus stops at everyone’s doorstep so no one has to walk very far (“It’s too hard!”) and actually do some physical movement. Let’s just furlough the teachers for two or three days to make up the cash shortfall, after all they aren’t important. But don’t cancel any sports practices, since that is a major reason many kids go to school (or at least that’s why Pay to Play was shot down, because those who live for sports would be inconvenienced).
Comment by Pat N. Hall — August 16, 2012 @ 2:36 pm
The bus stops will stay the same. I know severalparents that called about the unsafe walk for the kids and the school board response was “what happens to kids before and after the bus is not our problem” Nice job Montgomery County School Board.also now that kids have to walk they have added stops to bus routes so where is the money saving going its not.another question where did the left over money go from the amount used to hire an outside contractor for the redistricting plan that didn’t happen. Maybe a nice lunch and admin redecorating at the school board.
Comment by Ann — August 26, 2012 @ 11:12 am