Parent alleges unsafe buses and says district returned nearly $9 million in EPA funds; requests board follow-up

During public comment at the Nov. 18 meeting, Dr. Bridal Keyes, a Beloit resident and parent, urged the board to address what she described as unsafe and cold bus conditions and questioned a district decision to decline federal EPA funds earmarked for bus fleet upgrades.

In prepared remarks, she recounted a Nov. 8 trip to a Girls on the Run event where, she said, parents and students boarded buses in temperatures near 39 degrees and then discovered multiple windows would not close. "We counted at least 13 windows that did not close," she said, describing drafty conditions for elementary students on a highway trip.

Bridal Keyes also told the board she had been "absolutely shocked to learn the district accepted the funds and then decided to return them, leaving our children without old diesel buses whose windows do not close." She said a coalition of organizations and EPA employees were surprised the district did not pursue the funds and requested the board explain why the district returned the grant. She asked board members and administrators to ride district buses for winter trips and report their experience back during board member comments.

The transcript includes her statement that photos documenting the bus windows were provided and that she would forward the email and photos to the board and executive team, including interim superintendent Dr. Anderson.

Board members did not offer a recorded substantive response during the public-comment exchange in the transcript beyond acknowledging receipt; no motion or formal directive related to the alleged grant decision or the bus safety photos was recorded in open session during the meeting.

Next steps: The commenter asked for a follow-up phone call and public report on bus safety; the transcript records the request but does not record the board committing to a specific timeline or remedial action.