BOE Hears Criticism Over Transportation Decision

“What price are you willing to put on my child’s safety and well-being?”

At its September 8th Board of Education meeting, Citizen Debra Murphy criticized the board’s recent decision to change the bus routes. According to the board, the decision was made to save money in fuel cost. In July, the BOE staggered the school schedules for this year. The board said the decision allowed an adjustment of bus routes, eliminating some routes, while consolidating others. School board officials said the move is expected to save the county an estimated $120,000 and allows the board to save jobs in the process.

Murphy, though, emphasized that the new bus stop imperils her nine-year old daughter. Last year, Murphy said, that the bus stopped to pick up her daughter in the cul-de-sac of her subdivision. This year, though, the bus-stop was moved to the intersection where River Stone Way crosses Kerry Drive. Her concerns about the new stop are that the intersection is only a two-way stop; the stop has no sidewalks and has no shelter in case of inclement weather. According to Murphy the new bus stop is 3/10 of a mile from her house and could imperil her child, noting that walking this distance could in inclement weather could cause her daughter to get sick. But, her more compelling argument was that three sex-offenders live within two miles of her house.

In her comment, Murphy said she was told by Transportation that the new stop is in accordance with state guidelines. Murphy disagreed. She said she and her husband felt that the new stop does not follow state guidelines and left the board paperwork that she felt supported her claim.

“The school system seems to find money for things like new culinary arts centers,” Murphy said, “signs to be put all over the county telling parents kids need to go to school, and, the school system could even find money to sponsor local road races. They do that, but at the same time they can cut transportation budgets.”

Murphy continued telling the board that she would pay them $50 to cover the cost of fuel to get the old bus-stop back. She said that other parents in the district likely have similar concerns. Addressing the board, Murphy finally asked,

“What price are you willing to put on my child’s safety and well-being?”

Following Mrs. Murphy’s comments, the maintenance report stated that the county is in the process of recycling bus-stop signs. According to the report, bus-stop signs are located where bus-stops no longer exist. The school board will work with the road department to re-locate the signs, to place them where they are needed.