Parents from Spirit Lake told the Lakeland Joint School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday that they were surprised by recent routing and transportation decisions and want clearer, earlier communication from the district.
Alexis Fournier, a Spirit Lake parent, told trustees that many families were notified about bus changes “at the last minute” and asked, “Why were the parents notified at the last minute and only because there was a post on Facebook?” Fournier said safety at specific crossings and the lack of sidewalks in parts of Spirit Lake make walking to stops hazardous for young children.
The concern was echoed by Savannah Brudadich, who told the board that at one bus stop that serves three streets “there are 21 elementary-aged kids,” many of whom will be required to walk on roads that do not have sidewalks. Brudadich asked whether the district offers mileage-based transportation support under state rules and was told by district staff that the mileage policy comes from state law.
Why it matters: Parents said the combination of high-speed road crossings, limited sidewalks, winter conditions and families with two working parents creates a safety and equity problem for elementary students expected to reach meeting points on foot. Several parents asked the board for clearer, earlier notice of service changes and for staff to explain funding priorities behind the transportation choices.
Discussion and response: Board members offered to follow up. A district representative (asked parents for an email address) and another board member offered to provide email follow-up and confirmed district contact information is posted on the district website. The board did not take a formal vote on transportation at the meeting; the item remained in the discussion/public-comment stage.
Context: The comments came during the public-input portion of the meeting, before routine reports and business items. Parents repeatedly noted that many working families could not attend daytime meetings and rely on social media or direct email to learn of changes, which they said delayed their ability to prepare.
What parents asked for next: Parents asked for a clear explanation of what was funded instead of expanded transportation, an explanation of how mileage-based transportation eligibility (a state rule) is applied locally, and for the district to send direct notices rather than relying on social-media posts. Trustees and district staff agreed to follow up by email and said staff contact information is available on the district website.
Ending: The board did not adopt any new transportation policies at the meeting. Trustees said they would gather additional routing and notification information to share at a future meeting.