Parent tells board bus service failures continue for 18–21 program; asks for GPS, marked buses and consistent drivers

Joey Marchand, a parent of a student in the Franklin Public School District 18–21 program, told the board during community comment on Oct. 8 that ongoing transportation failures have put his daughter’s safety at risk.

Marchand said multiple incidents included the bus driving past his daughter’s designated pickup point without stopping, students being dropped off at home without an adult present and an unmarked black van picking up and dropping off students without prior communication. “It pains me deeply to be here again raising similar concerns, concerns that I feel remain unresolved and that continue to put my daughter's safety at risk,” Marchand said.

Marchand identified the transportation contractor Right Way as playing a role but said ultimate responsibility rests with the district. He urged the board to require GPS tracking on all vehicles that transport students, to use clearly marked school buses rather than unmarked vans, and to assign consistent drivers for students in the 18–21 program so that routine and predictability are preserved.

The board’s community comment rules were read at the start of the public comment period: participants must be district residents or parents/guardians, students must give their full name and address and speakers are limited to three minutes each. Board members did not announce an immediate operational change or motion in response; Marchand closed by urging the board to “take meaningful steps to ensure that these safety concerns are being addressed.”