Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-17-STAS-min Ad Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee May 17, 2012 at 9am Selectmen's Meeting Room,Town Hall Meeting Minutes 1 Attending Judy Crocker (Chair) Captain Ferro, Craig Weeks, Elaine Cell, Sharon Kendall, Deb Mauger (liaison to BOS,) and guests Bill Levinson from TAC and resident Bonnie Brown. 2 Review notes of the March 1, 15,April 5, May 3 meetings - deferred 3 Update on School Bus Contract Bid Process On April 23rd the School Committee voted to approve the new bus contract with C & W Transportation 4 Update on Flexpass Currently 113 riders signed up for this option New option with Lexpress includes having earlier times offered and adding service for each middle school The Lexpress bus involved include Route 9 for Clarke, Route 6 for Diamond, and Route 34 for LHS 5 Ouestion concerning"No Oueuing on Public Roadways"policy Captain Ferro was asked whether this is an enforceable violation He said it is not It is not a state law,but instead this is a local policy decision based on safety Each school site and roadway leading to the schools has its geographic and traffic issues. For Estabrook,this issue came into discussion because of safety concerns due to extensive vehicle queuing during school arrival and dismissal times Grove St is an arterial road and open passage must be maintained from a public safety perspective. For Bridge, although Middleby Road also has a queuing problem, itis not an equivalent issue to Estabrook because Middleby is not a local arterial roadway For Hastings,the school's traffic pattern is more of an exit issue than an entrance issue and changes are being recommended through TSAC Thusly,while there is not a town-wide approach to control queuing of vehicles on public roadways,there is definitely a safety preference forvehicle queuing not to occur. To be enforceable, the policy would have to fall under statutes that state that one cannot impede the flow of traffic 6 PR for school bus registration (April 30-June 15) • Setting a goal for 60%bus capacity was discussed • School posters that include thermometer scale to measure bus registrations will be on display at each school and at Central Administration • Approval has been received from the HDC for a similarly styled sandwich board to be displayed in front of Cary Hall • A cable PSA has been submitted to LexMedia, listing the new cost and bus services available this year along with two examples of artwork from the SRTS art and slogan contest 7 Discussion of uniform arrival/dismissal procedure a Captain Ferro added that the police enforce violations for No Parking, Handicapped Parking, and Fire lane restrictions,but cannot enforce locations with signs for 'Live Parking' b Much time and effort is needed to change a community's culture Suggested improvements may not work at first. Educational components should be stressed i To parents ii. To staff c Create a policy that has consensus and the backing of principals 8 Discussion of School Traffic Plans Mary Ellen and Elaine have scheduled and begunmaking observations ofcurrent school traffic patterns at dismissal time 9 Discussion of School Bus Conduct regulations Bus conduct is a school department policy and recommendations can be made to the School Committee 10. Principal's Input a Although an invitation was extended to all LPS principals and asst principals to participate in an open dialogue in the hope of setting the tone for 1)the urgency of the present school bus registration period and 2)the need to establish a partnership between principals with this Committee for the success of other suggested school transportation initiatives, none are in attendance. Five RSVP'ed as having conflicts and the balance did not respond. b PPPP- Partnership with parents, principals, and police 11. Discussion of Day#1 Roll-out • Manpower-A large parent presence at the schools will be needed in order to help with any proposed changes. PTA/PTO's will need to be informed so that they can recruit people now for the fall • Police - will focus on enforcing laws in the school zones, not on school property Later in the fall,the LPD will have a greater presence as they increase the frequency of randomly patrolling all the schools • PTA/PTO's-What will we do when people don't listen? Manny commented that at first staggered dismissal probably won't work,but when parents realize that they aren't going to be able to pick up their child at the time they are accustomed to, most will then likely come later and later • The comment was made that we worry about bullying and bad behavior of children but really it is the adults that must teach by example • We must think of the broader community and you often see people can be susceptible to bad behavior when they see their peers doing the same • Theseelements could tie into the pro-social behavior curriculum and SIP with regard to what to do you do if a parent breaks the rules 12. New business a Recommend uniform time of arrival and dismissal district wide i The Committee will reach out to SC members and school principals, beginning with Mary Anton since she has had success in Westford. ii Motion for letter to School Committee and BOS-was moved and seconded,vote passed 5-0 The ad hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee has made a motion that its chair contact the Lexington School Committee and Board of Selectmen in order to recommend 1) the establishment of district-wide uniform school arrival and dismissal times and 2) to further define traffic management policies on school grounds. Uniform procedures set the precedent of the same safety rules being in place for each school. Each recommendation emphasizes the value of students who walk, bike, or are bussed over those in single- occupancy vehicles and were formed in direct response to community concerns While understanding that each school possesses unique geographical challenges,there are certain parameters that should be consistent for all schools b. Are addendums needed for School Handbook? c Manny reported that work is still being done to replace school signs BOS needs to authorize funding to the DPW for this purpose i. "School zone"signage allowed if within 200 yards of the school property line ii If not in school zone, Cautionary signs can be used 13 Our next meeting will be June 7, 2012 in Town Hall Room G-15 14.Adjourn Respectively submitted, Sharon Kendall