Turner Families Petition School Board for Transportation to Nearby Daycare

A significant issue regarding transportation for daycare students took center stage at the MSAD52 Board of Directors meeting on March 27, 2025. Parents from Turner voiced their urgent need for bus services to a daycare facility just outside the town limits, highlighting a critical shortage of childcare options in the area.

Tom Petrella, a Turner resident, addressed the board alongside other families, sharing their struggles to secure daycare spots within Turner. Petrella explained that after moving to the area, they faced long waitlists and limited availability, ultimately enrolling their children at Bright Ideas in Clifmore, which is only half a mile beyond the current bus route.

The parents emphasized that the existing bus service does not extend to this facility, creating a logistical challenge for working families. "As working parents and taxpayers, it's simply not feasible for us to drop off and pick up our children every day," Petrella stated, urging the board to consider an exception to the bus route policy.

The group presented a compelling case, noting that there are only nine licensed childcare facilities in Turner, with only two currently having openings. They requested that the board and the transportation committee develop a policy allowing bus transportation to daycares just outside town lines, which could significantly ease the burden on families.

The board acknowledged the parents' concerns, with members expressing a willingness to consider their request. The discussion underscored the pressing need for accessible childcare solutions in the community, as families continue to navigate the challenges of balancing work and childcare. The outcome of this appeal could have lasting implications for many families in Turner, as they seek support from the school district to address their childcare needs.