Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smithfield committee holds first reading of revised transportation policy; registration to limit empty‑seat routes proposed
Summary
Committee members reviewed proposed changes to district transportation policy EEA, focusing on ridership registration to reduce low‑occupancy runs, clarified eligibility will not change and flagged safety concerns about walking routes without sidewalks.
On May 7 the Smithfield School Committee held a first reading of a revised district transportation policy (EEA) that emphasizes collecting ridership data and registering students to reduce low‑occupancy bus runs.
A policy subcommittee member (S3) said the draft does not change who is eligible for transportation but clarifies processes for appeals, IEP/504 management and in‑district vs. out‑of‑district coordination. The principal operational change the committee discussed is an intent to collect registration data so the district can plan efficient depot stops and avoid buses running with very few riders.
"Instead of having our buses...driving around Smithfield with 10 kids in them, the reason for that was we were holding seats for those that were eligible, and we did not have a registration process," S3 said. The proposal would mirror practices used statewide and in neighboring districts and allow parents to register or decline transportation; students who miss a deadline can still request service but adjustments to stops or depots may take a day or two.
Members raised safety questions for younger students asked to walk to a depot where sidewalks are lacking. One member (S2) said, "We have young students that are asked to be walkers in our neighborhoods that have no sidewalks," and urged the committee to review walking zones and potential accommodations before finalizing policy language. Administrators said route reviews would include safety assessments by the transportation coordinator (Angelo's department) and the bus company and that walk zones and depot locations would be evaluated as part of route redesign.
Committee members also discussed setting a standard (for example, requiring a parent to meet kindergarten and first‑grade students at the bus) versus leaving accommodation to parental permission; the draft explicitly notes a requirement for younger grades in the new policy language, which some members said could be adjusted.
Next steps: administrators will refine language based on the committee's feedback, produce ridership data to forecast potential route changes and bring a revised policy for a subsequent meeting vote. The district said it will publicize the registration form widely once the policy is finalized.
