HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-25-STAS-minAd Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee
June 25, 2012 at 2pm
Conference Room, Central Administration Blg
Meeting Minutes
1. Attending:, Sharon Kendall, Craig Weeks, Elaine Celi (LPS Transportation), Judy
Crocker, Elaine Dratch (TAC), Cpt Ferro (LPD), MaryEllen Dunn (Asst
Superintendent) , Jessie Steigerwald (SC liaison).
2. Review minutes of the April 5, May 3,17 meetings. Each was accepted as amended.
3. Draft report of the school bus registration
Total enrollment figures as of June 21St were reviewed. 2049 regular passes and
211 Flexpasses were sold for a total of 2260 (35 %). There were a fair number of
distance - eligible riders who had not registered (163). The total bus ridership
including the potential distance - eligible riders is 2423 (38 %). Bus registration
statistics include highest registration - Clarke (59 %), lowest- Fiske (21 %),
construction schools Bowman (46 %), Bridge (31 %), and Estabrook (41 %). LHS
rose 6% to 24 %.
It is not known at this time how many unregistered seats are available on each bus.
With the increased bus registration figures, it is apparent that more than FY12's 18
buses will be needed in order to meet the increased demand. In addition, Lexpress
buses have less capacity than school buses at 23 seats in its new bus line, which
will debut later this week.
For FY13, middle school dictates the minimum number of buses needed for the
town's school bus service, followed by Estabrook and the other 5 elementary
schools. Typically, high school buses have a capacity of 50 students /bus, middle
school has 55 students /bus and elementary has 60 students /bus.
Financing school buses comes from the School Operating Budget, followed by the
Transportation Revolving Fund (parent fees), and lastly by the town subsidy from
TM Articles 4 and 17. Theoretically, the TM funding could possibility not be used or
at least not in its entirety. It was noted that the SC votes on the fee structure for the
bus. The only exception are distance - eligible students, who are defined as being in
Grades K -6 and reside more than 2 miles from school.
Bus routes are constructed using a software program. It is anticipated that FY13
routes will be different from those of past years due to the increased bus
enrollment. There have been some complaints from those students who use the
Hayden only service as their fee increased from $200 to $300. Tallies figures are
still being determined for the elementary after - school destination program.
4. Strategies for 2012 -13 educational campaign
Constructing a visible, engaging, informative, and safe arrival and dismissal
program was discussed as being a good gateway into the setting the tone for both
students and drivers for the beginning of school. The program would stress safety
and the traffic rules at each school.
Cpt Ferro informed the committee that anyone in a roadway or crosswalk must
wear a reflective vest. Elaine Celi said that LPS ordered inexpensive vests for the
classroom emergency kits. She will furnish the ordering information.
A discussion concerning who would possibly participate in the program followed.
Town Meeting members, SC, PTA, SRTS, and School Council members were
mentioned. The PTA Executive Boards were also thought to be another parent -
elected group with the inside track on each school, so training would be at a
minimum. Laminated signs were proposed with a scripted format in order to make
it easy for volunteers to participate in the program and for parents to understand
the safety and traffic rules. Upbeat communication is the key to the program.
S. Draft of suggested school improvements as they relate to school transportation
services using the LPS SIP goal template
Members were asked to examine the draft and add their suggestions. MaryEllen
Dunn agreed to reformat the draft document.
6. Scheduling summer meetings
It was decided not to meet in July as an entire Committee due to vacation
schedules.
7. New business
• Ray Drapeau (Facilities), Mary Ellen and Judy Crocker met June 15 to discuss
how to improve streamlining of summer school infrastructure requests and to
standardize such reporting in order for such requests to be more efficiently
incorporated into the school capital plan and operating budget. A standardized
map will have to be made for each school and it will be labeled with permanent
signage, pavement painting, crosswalks, line -of -sight projections at
entrance /exit points, clear delineation of dedicated bus lane, school zone -
based signage, and reference GIS mapping. Also, the SRTS list of requested
summer work for Hastings, Clarke, Diamond, and Bowman was submitted. The
group next meets on August 10.
Our next meeting will be August 6, 2012 at 2pm in the large Conference Room at
Central Administration.
Respectively submitted,
Judy Crocker