Parents and a local attorney raise safety and communication concerns about Homer school transportation

During the community-voices segment of the meeting, speakers raised concerns about Homer Central School District’s transportation department, citing staffing problems, driver inattentiveness and a lack of communication after on-bus incidents.

Janice Stafford, who identified herself as a district taxpayer and attorney, said she had encountered “alarming information” about the transportation department but could not disclose details in public because of client confidentiality. Stafford said she would like to meet privately with board members and left her business card. She told the board she was “absolutely horrified by some of the things that I have heard and that I'm very surprised that this district has not been sued by former employees.”

Parent Stephanie Lyon described two incidents that involved one of her children and expressed frustration that bus drivers and the bus garage did not communicate details to parents or supervisors. She said an incident left students ill the following morning and, although students reported the issue to their school, she said she did not receive timely communication from the bus garage or driver. “My child's safety on the bus is important, and it's very sad that there's incidents happening on the bus and nothing is there,” Lyon said.

Another resident, Tracy Cartland, thanked the board for responding previously and urged that agreed actions be followed through within policy limits.

Board members replied that they would be in touch with Stafford to arrange a private meeting and acknowledged the concerns raised during public comment. No formal board actions or investigations were announced during the meeting; the transcript records requests for follow-up and an agreement to contact the attorney.