HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-07-STAS-minAd 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 Celi, 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.
S. 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 July 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