Changes to Clarkston Community Schools busing routes are not new. But officials expect tempers may flare next week when postcards specifying individual bus stops tell hundreds of parents their children’s stops were moved or eliminated.
And they are prepared, setting up a hotline and streamlining report procedures, said Anita Banach, director of communication and marketing.
‘Transportation is very personal for parents ? we expect a lot of parental feedback,? Banach said. ?(However) none of the changes should be a huge surprise.?
Clarkston’s Transportation Committee was directed by the Board of Education last year to review and adjust the busing system to save money and bring it in line with school policy.
‘The impetus has been the financial goal (savings of more than $100,000),? said Superintendent Al Roberts. ‘In the process, we’ve found a patchwork of decisions over the past 40 years ? rendering us inconsistent at best.?
One problem: neighborhoods are vastly different, Roberts said.
‘We’ll never be absolutely consistent, but it’s something we’ll work at,? he said.
An example of policy inconsistencies is turn-arounds. School policy does not allow turn-arounds or doublebacks ? buses must remain in forward gear. However, about a dozen existing turn-arounds were allowed to continue, Banach said.
All these were eliminated, said Kevin Bickerstaff, director of transportation.
‘Many were there 30 plus years ? they were grandfathered in,? Bickerstaff said. ‘It’s just a matter of realigning them.?
Changes were made by the Transportation Committee, which includes school board members and residents, after weeks of discussion. A proposal was complete in February and revised in April.
The committee will receive and address all safety concerns ? the committee is bused to areas of concern to review it in person.
Superintendent Al Roberts does not usually ride along, but plans to this year because of the changes.
‘We want to be concerned and compassionate regarding parents? concerns, but also make decisions that fit parameters of the policy,? Roberts said.
According to school policy, parents are responsible for their children’s safety while going to and from, and at bus stops.
‘It’s the parent’s responsibility to determine how their children get to the stop,? Bickerstaff said.
Parents shouldn’t expect curb-side service, Bickerstaff said.
‘The Hollywood bus stop, where the bus stops right outside the door, shouldn’t be expected,? he said. ‘Some have no transportation at all ? the school district is not required to transport any children except for special education.?
Policy allows up to 1.5 miles from home to bus stop, except for midday kindergarten.
The new bus system has about 2,601 stops, transporting about 5,000 of Clarkston Community School’s 8,000 students. About 470 stops have been eliminated. Students in affected areas will have to walk to consolidated stops, such as at neighborhood entrances, Bickerstaff said.
The hotline, which will be operational by start of school, is 248-623-3897.