Subcommittee to study van option after safety-driven change to bus pickups for students with IEPs

The Springfield Public Schools Student Parent Concern Subcommittee on Feb. 4 heard from parents and transportation officials about a Dec. 10 change to “door-to-door” bus pickups for students with individualized education programs that parents say has caused routine disruptions and safety concerns.

The district said the change followed a transportation safety risk assessment after drivers were observed performing multi-point turns in a condominium complex. “When we did that assessment ... based on that risk assessment, we felt that it was safer for that driver to pick up on the side,” a transportation representative said, arguing the new pickup avoids backing incidents and blind spots.

Parents said the change has created practical and emotional hardship for children who rely on consistent routines. “I literally had to ... stand outside in the cold waiting for the bus to come to make sure my children did not miss it,” the parent identified in the transcript as Parent (Speaker 3) said, adding that the family has had to arrange adult supervision between 2:30 and 5 p.m. and that transportation is often unreachable near closing.

District staff clarified that the term “door-to-door” in students’ IEPs is used operationally to mean portal-to-portal: pickup at the safest nearby location rather than at a literal front door. Dr. Marissa McCarthy of the Office of Exceptional Learning told the committee her office is not automatically notified of route changes and offered to provide supports to help families adjust, including social stories and additional transition training.

Committee members pressed the district on notification practices and alternatives. A member noted the district’s parent-notification app can geofence pickup areas and suggested training parents on its use; staff agreed to create in-person and video training. Kost estimates discussed at the meeting showed buying a dedicated van would cost roughly $50,000 per year, while contracting vans runs about $330 per day, figures district staff gave to the committee.

After discussion the subcommittee agreed on three follow-up actions: ask Chief Roach to assess the fiscal feasibility of a district van for this run; retrain staff at the Rebecca care site on pickup and check-in procedures; and develop training modules (including in-person sessions) to help parents use the tracking/notification app. Dr. Donnell noted Vice Chair Naylor may bring a van-feasibility request to another subcommittee after the initial assessment.

The subcommittee did not take a formal vote on changing pickup practices at the meeting; members agreed to pursue the three action items and monitor outcomes. A procedural motion to adjourn closed the meeting.