HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-03-STAS-min Ad Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee
May 3, 2012 at 9am
Room G-15 Town Hall
Meeting Minutes
1 Attending. Judy Crocker, Elaine Dratch, Craig Weeks, Sharon Kendall, Elaine
Celi, and resident Bonnie Brown
2 Meeting minutes for March 1 and 15 meetings were approved as amended.
3 Update on School Bus Contract Bid Process
The RFP bidding is closed and only one firm applied - C&W Transportation.
4 Update on LWV Candidate's Night(Transportation Question) -April 13
"Getting Around Town -Do we Really need to Drive?"
Power point is due April 6
The main issues discussed will include when people use mass transit and its
sustainability, capacity, how adaptive it is to changes in behavior, and how it
can be used as a tool to be stewards of our neighborhoods LWV host Peggy
Enders discussed the Dutch bus link commercial links that Ms Celi has
shared with the Committee
5 Questions concerning"No Queuing on Public Roadways"regulation -
deferred
6 PR for school bus registration (April 30-June 15)
• The 2012-13 form was reviewed by the Committee. The theme is
"the reduced bus fee is here." It includes a chart exhibiting the
multiple student savings with the school bus subsidy and the
elementary pm transportation and Flexpass options. Registration
deadline is June 15th
• Registrations forms are on the LPS website and distributed thru
listserve and global connect as well as school newsletters. Posters
were distributed to all schools
• The Minuteman column will feature this information over the
registration period as well as a Colonial Times article
• Community meetings held and attended PTA Presidents Council
7 Discussion of uniform arrival/dismissal procedure
Uniform procedures set the precedent of the same safety rules being in place
for each school. This ensures better compliance by students and parents as
they move from one school building to the next.
LPS School Scheduling
1. Clearly delineate schedule of school hours for students/parents and
faculty/staff
• School hours and the bell schedule
• Transportation arrival/dismissal times
• Post in School Handbooks and websites
• No special requirements for Grade K
• Review tardiness rules
2 Clearly delineate instructional time
• No assigning before-school work. This includes assigning work as
homework if it is not completed before school.
• Afternoon instructional time shall not be shortened in order to prepare
for dismissal.
3 Emphasize value of walkers/bussers over use of single-occupancy vehicles
• Create deterrents for car use
• At dismissal. first bell for walkers/bussers and second for cars
• Penalties - WIP
4 Communication
• Interview each school principal
• Principal and Staff meetings
• Students/Parents
• Summer packet mailings
• School "tickets"
• Offer translated materials
• PTA/PTO Meetings
• School assemblies
8 Discussion of School Traffic Plans
While understanding that each school possesses unique geographical
challenges,there are certain parameters that should be uniform for all
schools.
1 Clearly delineate the proper use of bus lanes, fire lanes, handicap parking
spaces, and after-school unsupervised playground use for each school.
2.All staff assisting in traffic and crosswalk monitoring must wear a reflective
vest.
3 Streamline the number of faculty/staff used in the arrival/dismissal
process
4 Educate parents on school traffic plans and public roadway queuing.
5 Emphasize value of walkers/bussers over cars
6 Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle safety training and helmet use in PE
classes
7 Penalties - WIP
8 Communication
9 Discussion of School Bus Conduct regulations
There is a perceived need by bus drivers and parents to better address
discipline on the bus
1 A bus pass is mandatory to ride the bus and must be visible to the bus driver
at all times.
• Failure to have a bus pass in the morning will result in the student not being
allowed on the bus. The bus driver will document the student's name and
address and inform the school upon the bus's arrival.
• Failure to have a bus pass in the afternoon will result in documentation by
the school and driver A student will be allowed a 48-hour grace period during
which the parents are responsible for securing a replacement pass from the
LPS Transportation Coordinator Following this grace period, if the student
continues not to possess a bus pass, the student will not be allowed to ride the
bus
2 Streamline the procedure for drivers reporting a discipline issue or lack of
bus pass.
A. Bus driver completes Bus Conduct Form.
B Driver gives to C &W Supervisor at the end of their shift.
C C&W faxes to LPS Transportation Coordinator and school designee
D Follow-up by LPS Transportation and school designee.
3 Communication
Record Individual School Concerns
10 Scheduling a Principal's meeting-invitations have been distributed but
there have been no RSVP's even after discussing the need for feedback with
Superintendent Ash.
11. New business
• The Committee has a new transportation website
www.lexingtonma.gov/schooltransportationcommittee.cfm
12 Adjourn. Our next meeting will be May 17 2012 in Town Hall Room G-15
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Crocker