Stevensville board rescinds approved bus routes after parents complain of safety, orders committee review

The Stevensville School Board voted to rescind its September approval of district bus routes on a 6–0 vote after parents and trustees raised concerns about route changes and safety.

Chair (board) told the meeting the rescission does not affect bus operations immediately: "Everything stays status quo," the chair said, adding that routes will not change tomorrow while the board and staff gather more information and hold follow-up discussions. The motion to rescind was made by Trustee Stephanie and seconded by Tony (as recorded in the meeting minutes); six trustees eligible to vote supported the motion.

The vote followed extended discussion about changes implemented by the district’s contractor, Harlow’s, and a lengthy public comment period. Janet Beebe, who identified herself as a former long-time district bus driver and the grandmother of affected students, said the contractor had moved a stop off Winters Lane and to a point on Eastside Highway, forcing her grandchildren to walk "three quarters of a mile" on a county road adjacent to a 65 mph zone. "I drove for the district for 26 of those years," Beebe said. "There's no reason I wouldn't drive up there."

Trustees and staff described two core problems: (1) families were not adequately notified about the route changes and (2) some route changes were made without board-level approval or a clear record of why certain roads were removed from nightly maps. Board members also discussed mileage-based reimbursement and how approved route maps differ from actual daily miles driven.

Superintendent Tennis and district staff said the county superintendent had advised caution and clarified that rescinding the prior approval simply reopens the discussion about what routes should look like and how to communicate changes to families. The board agreed to form a committee—including the facilities and transportation manager, the contractor representative and board members—to gather specific data (number of students per stop, actual miles driven, safety assessments for turnarounds and culverts) and return to the full board with recommendations in November.

The board emphasized next steps would include clearer family notification and specific operational guidance for the contractor while ensuring the county reimbursement and safety standards are met. Trustees asked that the committee report address which stops carry single riders and which could be consolidated, along with a timeline for public outreach and a recommended final routing plan.