After a number of parents expressed concern about safety at the most recent meeting of the Kosciusko School Board of Trustees, bus policies related to Kosciusko Junior High School are now under review.
Superintendent Billy Ellzey introduced the topic at the meeting, which was discussed by several in attendance, as well.
“In the past week, there has been a concern regarding bus routes... the policy that if within one and a half miles of the junior high, no bus is provided,” he said.
Several said they were happy with the work the district has done to improve security at the schools, but said that student safety goes beyond the buildings.
Vickie Griffin said her niece is sometimes frightened walking from KJHS.
“There’s locks on every school, which is good, but safety goes further than the school,” she told the board. “I speak for everybody’s child, not just my niece, an 11-year-old young lady walked home from school and she was so scared.”
While often family members resort to driving children to and from school to avoid over-crowded buses or to ensure a child’s safety, it is an option she says is not available to all families.
“Everybody isn’t blessed the same - to be able to pick up a child,” she said, noting that many families have working parents and sometimes only have one vehicle, which is being used by the working parent. “You might be able to set proper arrangements, but not everybody can.”
Another patent noted that the routes the junior high children most often walk are unsafe due the way drivers maneuver vehicles.
“They fly to the high school; they fly to the junior high; they fly to PDS. They are running stop signs and going around the buses,” she told the board. “It may have been safe once upon a time, but it isn’t like that anymore.”
Board members expressed gratitude to those raising the issue.
“We’re responsible for these kids during the day; you’re responsible afterward,” said Dr. Kenneth Quick, chairman of the board. “In between, we don’t want a gap where it causes a problem.
The board directed Ellzey to look at the issue and propose solutions.
Late last week, Ellzey said a plan is in the works.
“The transportation director and I are currently working on a plan and policy change to serve those families who live within a mile of our junior high school,” he said. “With the approval of the board, we should be able to start providing transportation in the next few weeks for our students who live within a mile of junior high. As always we will continue to work to provide a safe environment for all of our students.”
