HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-04-STAS-min Ad Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee
October 4, 2012 at 9am
Conference Room, LPS Central Administration Building
Meeting Minutes
Attending Chair Judy Crocker, Elaine Dratch (TAC,) Elaine Cell (LPS Transportation,) Craig
Weeks, and Sharon Kendall
Guests: Shannon Maloney (C&W Transportation) and Bonnie Brown.
• Committee photo taken for Town Meeting Report
• Secretary for this meeting minutes is Sharon
• School Bus Registration Update-
Total bus Registration figures as of Sept 20 were reviewed These included
• Bus registration stands at 2579(40%) Still have 51 on waithst
• Greatest increase from FY12 to FY13 is for the Estabrook School.
• Average bus capacity is now 82%that is an increase of 25% We are running
a more efficient transportation system.
• There have been 5 buses and 11 routes added this year
• 370 of these registrations were `late' (after June 15) Majority of these were
second week in August There was no late fee this year In an effort to curb
negative feelings about the bus, routes had to be re-done to accommodate
additional riders Can't keep redoing routes over and over so it becomes
space available basis after some point
• One member suggested that we put a dollar figure on how much it costs to
redo the routes, and charge fees accordingly,but S Maloney reminded us that
we don't want to undo efforts to increased rider ship.
A year prior, the deadline was Memorial Day weekend with late penalty of
$50 Committee needs to revisit this $50 not a big enough penalty to
motivate early sign up anyway, distance eligible who register late won't pay
fee anyway One suggestion is to go to online registration where one
would have to pay at time of registration Another suggestion is to analyze
how many of the late registrations were distance eligible students This
information was looked up by the Transportation department and found
that 153 of the 474 distance eligible students registered late. This is 40%.
Won't gain any late fees imposed on these families anyway because state
mandates that these students be transported free of charge for grades K-6
• School infrastructure adjustments
o Opening of gate at Clarke still pending Shannon Maloney had positive
meeting with Principal Anna Monaco, and Assistant Principal Jonathan
Wettstone
o The curb between Brookside and Stedman Rds continues to be a problem
for buses and traffic backs up at Clarke.
• Elementary after-school program enrollment and logistics
o Riders were assigned to existing buses
o It is not more work for the after-school programs but their schedules
have to shift.
o In the future need to interview after school destinations
• No problems yet for Lexpress- total on FLexPass is 222 (As of Sept. 20)
• Town of Lexington 2012 Town Meeting Report
• The report now covers year July 1 to June 30 (was Jan to Dec)
• Judy to write up report and send out draft for comments
5. C&W Informational Ride-along- sponsored by C&W and STS
a Approved by Dr Ash and Margaret Coppe Those invited will include
Selectmen, School Committee, school Principals, and Dr Ash
b. 3 days Oct. 24, 25, 26, either morning or afternoon-Judy to set up online
signup with all options
c Will start at LHS and include middle and elementary school runs
d. Follow up opportunities- meet individually, or discuss at bi-weeky school
administrator meetings
6. STS - School Improvement Plan Goals - still in draft form. This is not solely the
work of our chair Will need revising by committee members
7 Reviewed minutes of August 6, and Sept 6
Vote taken for August 6, and Sept 6th These minutes were approved with
amendments to Sept 6 on page 2 in the section of bulleted items
Where it says "Some parents and drivers not following new bus routes, clarify that
it means "bus drivers"were not following the new routes and parents were not
having their children go to the right bus stop on a new route. Where it says
"Limited Transportation Staffing"add to that, "proved to be insufficient to address
parent inquiries and concerns"
Add amendment to the Aug 6 minutes that clarifies on the sentence where Ms
Maloney inquired about PTA bus monitors The words " they are not allowed due
to liability issues"be clarified to say" LPS will not allow bus monitors due to
liability issues."
8 New Business
A.the Town Warrant is due Jan. 1. Must have wording finalized by then.
• Need to determine what committee will request to BOS
• Possible items for consideration
1 Town bylaw to enforce traffic rules on school property
2. Purchase new school signage.
3 Bylaw prohibiting registered Level 3 sex offender from being
on school property, on walk to school routes, or at bus stops
B Funding buses/maintaining rider ship next year Remember that Town Subsidy is
for one year only with exception of Estabrook. Will need to know what fee will be.
Need a strong"Renew"Campaign to retain riders This will start as early as
February Could have positive quotes from `happy customers ' It was also suggested
that in planning routes,we build in an estimated number of riders from the Avalon
community as they are all distance eligible and will often have families registering
late because they move in past the deadline
Adjourn Our next meeting will be November 1, 2012 in the LPS Central Administration
Building Conference Room
Respectfully submitted,
By Sharon Kendall