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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-07-STAS-min Ad Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee June 25, 2012 at 2pm Conference Room, Central Administration Blg Meeting Minutes 1 Attending Judy Crocker, Craig Weeks, Sharon Kendall, Elaine Cell, MaryEllen Dunn, Deb Mauger (liaison to BOS),Jessie Steigerwald (liaison the SC),and guests Sara Arnold from TAC and residents Bonnie Brown 2 Review notes of the March 1, 15,April 5, May 3,17 meetings - deferred 3 Discussion of the STS Timeline &Benchmarks a Mary Ellen suggested that the principals would find it easier to digest the Committee's suggested school transportation improvement initiatives by having our draft formatted using the LPS School Improvement Plan template She distributed a copy of the template and will take on this action item b Mary Ellen spoke of the need to institutionalize some of the Committee's proposed changes This process will take time to discuss, educate, and monitor adherence of any widespread change Therefore, she suggests that most will not be able to approach implementation stage until much later into this school year or next Other considerations to be taken into account may include: i Parent expectations ii What each principal has inherited iii. Whatconstitutes the present-day reality. For example, at some schools dismissed elementary students are ready X minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive with current school policy iv. Choices with consequences. v Time-on-learning versus interpretations of policies c The delineation of school hours is policy set by SC with input from the teacher's union. STS is concerned with the present school hour schedule for the our 3-tier bus service requires adequate time to arrive to each school, run its route, and proceed to the next school This is made more difficult when there are allocated 25 minutes between HS /MS and MS /ES dismissal times. Also,the Committee has discovered that not all schools within the same grade configuration have the same start and end times d. Mary Ellen and Jessie will investigate the statutory, SC policy, and contractual obligations and dates last updated regarding school hours and instructional time i. Principals are responsible for curriculum,teaching and learning. ii SC is responsible for policy, procedures,budget, and contracts 4 School Bus Registration Update a Currently 137 riders signed-up for the Flexpass option b Total ridership is at 1325 riders (21%),with more registration forms to enter. c The wording of Global Connect reminders for bus registration was discussed as keeping the notices concise and to focus on the upcoming deadline d. The number of buses needed and bus route planning for 2012-13 begins in late June e Jessie suggested placing a bus registration poster in locally frequented coffee shops. 5 Principals' Meetings a. Having reached out to a few principals,Judy learned from those who replied that the school principals,while most thinking transportation safety to be an important topic, do not have the time to add anything to their packed schedules b Moving forward, Mary Ellen suggested that she act as the intermediary between the principals and STS She will give regular STS updates at the Administrator's Council She is also the LPS liaison to the SC and TSAC c Having learned of the last Administrative Council for the school year Just prior to their meeting,Judy composed a handout to serve as an STS update However, it could not be distributed for there was not enough time to receive prior approval It will be resubmitted to Mary Ellen with amendments 6 Goal Settings for the BOS The BoS has contacted Town Committees and requested any suggestions that may globally benefit the community while helping to advance individual committee charges The deadline for submission is June 15 STS considered two goals i To further define and publish traffic management policies for school grounds A town by-law would be needed to allow school administration and the LPD to properly enforce and penalize those who fail to follow posted traffic rules on school property ii. To clearly delineate school zones with appropriate signage.Working through TSAC and DPW, funding will be needed to purchase and install new school zone signage as well as remove what currently exists 7 Discussion of Day#1 Roll-out Sharon updated the PTA President's Council on the Committee's thoughts of using 4-5 PTA members at each school to disseminate the informational tickets during the first day, PTA Welcome Coffees, and first week of school These tickets would be given to driving parents in order to gently remind them of the school hours and road rules Ideally, each school would use their PTA Executive Board and Safe Routes PTA representatives 8 Setting STS Iuly Committee meetings dates- deferred 9 New business a LPS Transportation Breakfast is being held on June 19 at 9-10am at Central Administration. b The 2012-13 LPS School Improvement Plans will not include wording specific to improving transportation safety and services However, the topic can be suggested as a safety goal in September. 10 Our next meeting will be June 25, 2012 at 2pm in the large Conference Room at Central Administration. 11 Adjourn Respectively submitted, Judy Crocker