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Parent asks district to expand hazardous-route busing exceptions and pilot service at Kennedy Elementary
Summary
A parent asked the Madison board to expand hazardous-route exceptions to include students required to cross high-volume arterial roads and proposed a Kennedy Elementary pilot next school year; she estimated about 5,200 students districtwide would qualify under the change.
A parent and community member urged the Madison Metropolitan School District board on April 28 to revise transportation eligibility so that route risk—not just distance—determines eligibility for district-provided busing.
Megan Ross told the board that crossing high-volume roads such as Milwaukee Street—she said it carries more than 10,000 vehicles per day—creates ongoing exposure risk for young students even where crossings are staffed or feature flashing beacons. Ross proposed expanding the district's existing hazardous-route exceptions to include students who must cross arterial roads with fully protected crossings even if they live within 1.5 miles of school.
Ross proposed that transportation continue to be provided only on family request, and that the district pilot the change at Kennedy Elementary for the 2025–26 school year to collect data and guide districtwide policy. She said, based on local estimates, the number of students who would qualify under the proposed criteria would be "modest," about 5,200 students districtwide, making the change a focused rather than broad expansion.
Ross also cited prior temporary supports provided through a partnership with a community organization to serve families at the Carmenta Transitional Shelter and said reliable transportation increased attendance and reduced barriers to consistent participation.
The board acknowledged the testimony; no policy vote occurred at the meeting. Ross asked the district to consider safety and equity when reviewing transportation eligibility and to test a pilot at Kennedy Elementary before any districtwide change.
