District touts added late buses and electric-bus pilot as parents complain of long routes
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Summary
Sweet Home officials outlined restored late buses, progress on electric buses and routing changes, while multiple public commenters reported children spending excessive time on buses. District staff promised follow-up on complaints and said reimbursements and grants offset some McKinney Vento and electric-bus costs.
District officials told the Sweet Home Central School District board they expect to restore after-school transportation to near pre-COVID levels starting Oct. 2, with late buses at multiple levels and expanded runs, and that a growing electric-bus pilot and state/federal grants are helping offset fleet costs. At the same time, two public speakers described prolonged rides for their children and asked the district to investigate.
The district presenter said that, beginning Oct. 2, the district plans five late buses at the high school (five days a week), four at the middle school (five days a week), and eight elementary buses (two per elementary building, four days a week), plus three elementary band and orchestra buses starting Sept. 22. "By October 2, we'll be back to pre COVID levels on after school transportation," the presenter told the board.
District staff reported progress on electric buses: four were in-service and more were arriving, with four more planned for the fall and four the following year, which would put the district at 11 electric vehicles in a fleet of 68. Officials said grant funding from NYSERDA and EPA helped make the electric buses cost-competitive with diesel in the short term.
Transportation director Scott Kennedy (cited by staff) told the board the district reclaimed most McKinney Vento runs in-house last year and spent roughly $1.2 million on McKinney Vento transportation; staff said they expected about $400,000 to $500,000 in Erie County reimbursement. The presenter said the district is monitoring ridership and may re-contract some routes if student counts rise.
Public comment highlighted continuing problems despite the staff report. Constance Fiorella, a resident and grandmother who gave her address on the record, said: "She's been on the bus for an hour and 25 minutes today alone." Later in the meeting Jamie Mancine, a Glendale PTA member, said: "My son was on a bus for 3 hours today." The district presenter responded directly to Constance Fiorella: "Please call me tomorrow, and I will look into it." Board members and staff said they would follow up with transportation staff to identify and resolve routing and timing issues.
Officials also said smartphone-enforcement policies at the high school are in effect and have reduced classroom distractions; the district said staff observed more social interaction and fewer instructional interruptions since enforcement began. The presenter also noted improved event-ticketing procedures and standard safety measures for upcoming athletic events.
The board received the reports and public comments and directed staff to investigate individual complaints, return with any route adjustments and provide additional updates as routing and ridership figures stabilize.
