Parents and youth‑sports leaders urge clearer facility use guidance and safer bus stops

During the public‑comment period the board heard two substantive requests: one from youth‑sports representatives seeking clearer guidance on community use of school facilities, and another from a parent describing a bus‑drop safety incident and urging policy review.

Matthew Hefferman, speaking for Broadneck Baseball and Softball Club, TGA (Tennis Golf and Athletics) and Play Annapolis, said he has repeatedly sought information from his board member about how the board will implement its prior vote to expand community use of school facilities for athletics. He asked whether board members have an obligation to respond to constituents and requested a timeline or guidance from the executive team so community groups can plan expanded youth programming.

Morelle Farmer (virtual comment) described an August 26, 2025 incident in which school bus staff dropped four six‑year‑old children on the shoulder of Ritchie Highway, in a location without sidewalks and with high‑speed traffic; there were no adults present and, she said, no cameras on the bus at that time. Farmer urged the board and policy committee to revisit transportation policies and regulations to add safeguards that consider student age and local traffic conditions, and to prioritize that review before the coming school year.

The board chair closed public comments and reminded members of ways to request follow‑up (emailing the board office or leaving materials with the board office staff). The board did not adopt an immediate action in the meeting but the policy committee had just met to resume work on related transportation and facility‑use policies.

Next steps: Board members and staff indicated items including community use guidance and transportation policies would be taken up by the policy committee for further work.