Parents tell board bus-stop consolidation made elementary routes less safe; request at least one stop be restored on Pioneer Drive

Jackie Love, a parent of four students who lives on Pioneer Drive, told the board on Sept. 25 that the district’s elementary bus-stop consolidation has created safety risks for her neighborhood.

"The consolidation eliminated 583 elementary bus stops across all seven schools," Love said, adding that 86 stops were removed for the 715 students who attend Franklin Elementary. She said the route that serves her neighborhood (Bus 72) now serves about 219 homes and approximately 35 students; prior to consolidation Pioneer Drive had about four stops and now has none.

Love said some children may now face an 8–10 minute walk and may have to cross two or three streets to reach the nearest stop; she cited American Academy of Pediatrics guidance that children younger than about 10 lack the recommended independent pedestrian judgment. She also described overflow at one stop (which she observed averaging about 25 students) and concerns about heavy backpacks and reduced visibility on days with service/garbage activity.

"So is there enough time to even add the Pioneer bus stop back in? The answer is yes," she told the board and asked that the district restore at least one stop on Pioneer Drive because Bus 72 has available layover time, she said.

Board members responded with appreciation for the report and several thanked the transportation team for improvements this year; trustees also said they would respect the administration’s judgment on detailed routing decisions.

What the board heard: A parent documented specific counts and safety concerns and asked for a concrete remedy (restore at least one stop); the board acknowledged the concerns and credited recent improvements to bus routing staff. The record does not show an immediate reversal of the consolidation decision; the comment was presented for board consideration.