Conewago Valley board debates expanding elementary bus service after parent survey highlights safety concerns

The Conewago Valley School District Board of School Directors discussed whether to expand district-provided bus service for elementary students after staff presented survey results and preliminary cost estimates.

Superintendent Dr. Perry said the district received responses from about half of families in the study and found parents prioritized safety. "If a child was a walker, would you ride the bus if it was provided? 62% of our respondents indicated that, yes, they would absolutely have their child ride the bus," Dr. Perry said. He corrected an earlier arithmetic error in the board packet, saying a previously reported $10,000 figure was a typo and the correct amount was $1,000.

The board discussed two scope options that staff analyzed: offering transportation to students in K–3 only, or to all K–6 walkers. Dr. Perry reported a district estimate that providing K–6 transportation for identified walkers would cost about $280,000, and that starting with K–3 would be roughly $215,000. He said the…