Parents demand safer school bus drop-off locations for students

During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on safety measures for school transportation and the ongoing challenges of class sizes as the new school year approaches.

The meeting began with a focus on enhancing safety protocols, particularly regarding school bus pick-up and drop-off locations. Superintendent Medansi was tasked with initiating discussions with the town manager to explore potential improvements. The board expressed unanimous support for this initiative, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safe environments for students.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the class size report, which highlighted the dynamic nature of student enrollment as the school year nears. Superintendent Romano noted that daily registrations have been occurring, and a more accurate report would be presented at the September meeting. The board acknowledged the current class sizes as satisfactory but recognized the potential for changes as new students continue to enroll.

Public communications featured a poignant appeal from local resident Josh Bachmann, who advocated for the relocation of school bus pick-up and drop-off points for middle and high school students to a designated bus shelter within Hillcrest Village. Bachmann argued that this change would enhance safety for all students, particularly in light of increasing traffic concerns. He pointed out that the existing policy against using private roads for bus stops should be reconsidered in favor of student safety.

Additionally, Steve Salavik, the boys' tennis coach at the high school, expressed gratitude for the board's discussions regarding tennis court availability. He clarified misconceptions surrounding a recent letter from the tennis community and emphasized the importance of finding long-term solutions for the tennis program.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit these topics in future sessions, ensuring that student safety and educational quality remain top priorities for the community.