During a recent government meeting, Christine Rowley, a concerned parent from 13422 Glen Hill Drive, raised significant issues regarding the district's transportation system. Rowley expressed frustration over drastic changes to her children's bus schedules, which she discovered only after multiple attempts to contact the transportation department. She reported that the department's phone lines were unresponsive, leaving her without crucial information about her children's bus stops.
Rowley detailed the lengthy bus rides her first grader endures, noting that her daughter spends over an hour and twenty minutes on the bus each way. This situation contradicts the district's stated policy of limiting bus rides to no more than one hour. Rowley emphasized that her daughter is picked up first and dropped off last, a practice she believes is unfair and detrimental to students.
Despite her discussions with transportation officials, Rowley was informed that no immediate solutions could be offered. She highlighted the challenges this poses not only for her child but for working parents like herself, who often arrive home after their children have been dropped off.
Rowley acknowledged the ongoing shortage of bus drivers but urged the district to explore alternative routing options to alleviate the burden on students. Her testimony underscores the pressing need for the district to address transportation concerns to ensure a more equitable and efficient system for all students.