Outrageous "Ineligible" School Bus Fee-- Where is our $200 per kid going??
46 Comments
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
As of 5:07 tonight, the board members of PCSD, voted unanimously to reduce the fee from $200 to $0 for ineligible riders!!! Thanks for all the support and assistance!!!
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Jonathan, just so you have the exact verbiage from the UT Admin Code R277-600: The distance from home to school is determined as follows: From the center of the public route (road, thoroughfare, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the regular entrance of the one where the pupil is living, over the nearest public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open regularly for use by the public, to the center of the public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the nearest public entrance to the school grounds which the student is attending.
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Jonathan, just so you have the exact verbiage from the UT Admin Code R277-600: The distance from home to school is determined as follows: From the center of the public route (road, thoroughfare, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the regular entrance of the one where the pupil is living, over the nearest public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open regularly for use by the public, to the center of the public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the nearest public entrance to the school grounds which the student is attending.
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Indeed Jonathan! They have a specific instrument they use to map the distance. Are you "ineligible?" If so, I would certainly ask how they mapped the distance to consider you ineligible. When I called the state and discussed the law's language regarding "children are expected to walk," the asst director of the school trans dept at the USOE, said that they need to relook at changing that language since no one expects a kindergartner to walk 1.5 miles to school especially in areas such as ours where there's no sidewalks... I asked him if it's that easy to change the language than realistically that mileage needs to be lowered overall! And lastly, I misspelled "their" with there in my first response :(
J
Jonathan weinberg
10 years ago
Hi Alex,...Thanks for your note. We did the measurement as you described above using MapMy ride on the phone while driving from the house to the school. Distance was 1.6....guess we have something to discuss with District....
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Thank you so much for signing the petition. The bus mileage is measured from the main entrance to the school grounds to the middle of the driveway of residence. For example, for JRES, it's the entry off of Rasmussen Rd (the frontage road by Jeremy Store) and measured to the driveway of the house and that's how they come up with there eligible map. I ensured that the measurement is done correctly and not as the crow flies since that's what I heard when I first moved here as well. I'm at 1.42 miles and would be outside of 1.5 if it was measured to the front main entry to the building itself. If they use thoroughfare (a trail), it must be accessible all year round.
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Thank you so much for signing the petition. The bus mileage is measured from the main entrance to the school grounds to the middle of the driveway of residence. For example, for JRES, it's the entry off of Rasmussen Rd (the frontage road by Jeremy Store) and measured to the driveway of the house and that's how they come up with there eligible map. I ensured that the measurement is done correctly and not as the crow flies since that's what I heard when I first moved here as well. I'm at 1.42 miles and would be outside of 1.5 if it was measured to the front main entry to the building itself. If they use thoroughfare (a trail), it must be accessible all year round.
J
Jonathan weinberg
10 years ago
living a mile and a half from the school measured "as the crow flys" should not constitute being inside the "no bus" zone... If and when the snow flies it's not like the kids are going to post hole down the trails.... They would take the roads, so at a minimum measure the distance via the roads or better yet do away with this silly rule. Not to mention We spend so much effort to reduce emissions in town and then the district insists on making parents drive their individual cars to the school.... Let's fix this please...:
K
kate weinberg
10 years ago
Featured
I was told the 1.5 mile boundary line is "as the crow flies" - why? Do we walk as the crow flies or on streets? This whole rule is just archaic. Please change this rule!!!!
T
Tami Dawson
10 years ago
The fee is silly. The buses are half empty and are going anyway. It makes sense from all angles- economically, socially and environmentally to name a few!
A
Alison Zdunich
10 years ago
If there is room on the buses then......FILL THEM!!! Such a waste.
L
Laura Arnold
10 years ago
I think that especially in the case of Jeremy Ranch all kids should be bused because of the proximity to I 80 and the Jeremy Store. I 80 is a very dangerous interstate and any child walking could be danger . In addition the traffic around the Jeremy store is unbelievable how can a 5 year old navigate around this intersection when adults have trouble and they are in a car. So please provide busing for children regardless of the distance so that we can stop putting children in what could be extreme danger.
C
Carla Gehring
10 years ago
The parents of kids considered "ineligible" are being held hostage and that hopefully is about to stop. A total rip off when buses travel with so many empty seats. My kids are grown, but this is outrageous.
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Can't agree more! Fill the buses and if they are filled with eligible students then great... but let's open the aperture to minimize congestion, pollution, and increase children safety!!!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Should be allowed to ride unless the busses have filled up with students outside 1.5 miles.
S
S Smith
10 years ago
Fill the yellow school buses!
E
Erin maloy
10 years ago
Think morning traffic would be much better at 4 way stop if Jeremy families were not charged to ride the bus
K
Katherine Burgener
10 years ago
Fortunately we are just within the boundary to be eligible for bus service. However, my friends children would have to sled, ski, snowboard to JRES because of the hills in our neighborhood. In the winter (most of the year) it is too cold and most parents drive their kids to whichever school and create more congestion, pollution, etc. The school has plenty of money to bus any child who wants to be bused without a fee. There are other more effective ways to raise money.
A
Alex Brown
· petition starter
10 years ago
Featured
STAT OF THE DAY-- Did you know that JRES Bus # 12 can hold up to 78 kids but only 18 ride it? Also, did you know that Ecker Bus #13 holds 52 kids but only transports 41? Fill the Buses!!!
J
Jennifer Terry
10 years ago
I also feel that in the 8 years my children went to Jeremy Ranch elementary I spent WELL OVER $200 a year in my time and gas picking my children up with my own car! So, I want my money back!
As of 5:07 tonight, the board members of PCSD, voted unanimously to reduce the fee from $200 to $0 for ineligible riders!!! Thanks for all the support and assistance!!!
Jonathan, just so you have the exact verbiage from the UT Admin Code R277-600: The distance from home to school is determined as follows: From the center of the public route (road, thoroughfare, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the regular entrance of the one where the pupil is living, over the nearest public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open regularly for use by the public, to the center of the public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the nearest public entrance to the school grounds which the student is attending.
Jonathan, just so you have the exact verbiage from the UT Admin Code R277-600: The distance from home to school is determined as follows: From the center of the public route (road, thoroughfare, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the regular entrance of the one where the pupil is living, over the nearest public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open regularly for use by the public, to the center of the public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the nearest public entrance to the school grounds which the student is attending.
Indeed Jonathan! They have a specific instrument they use to map the distance. Are you "ineligible?" If so, I would certainly ask how they mapped the distance to consider you ineligible. When I called the state and discussed the law's language regarding "children are expected to walk," the asst director of the school trans dept at the USOE, said that they need to relook at changing that language since no one expects a kindergartner to walk 1.5 miles to school especially in areas such as ours where there's no sidewalks... I asked him if it's that easy to change the language than realistically that mileage needs to be lowered overall! And lastly, I misspelled "their" with there in my first response :(
Hi Alex,...Thanks for your note. We did the measurement as you described above using MapMy ride on the phone while driving from the house to the school. Distance was 1.6....guess we have something to discuss with District....
Thank you so much for signing the petition. The bus mileage is measured from the main entrance to the school grounds to the middle of the driveway of residence. For example, for JRES, it's the entry off of Rasmussen Rd (the frontage road by Jeremy Store) and measured to the driveway of the house and that's how they come up with there eligible map. I ensured that the measurement is done correctly and not as the crow flies since that's what I heard when I first moved here as well. I'm at 1.42 miles and would be outside of 1.5 if it was measured to the front main entry to the building itself. If they use thoroughfare (a trail), it must be accessible all year round.
Thank you so much for signing the petition. The bus mileage is measured from the main entrance to the school grounds to the middle of the driveway of residence. For example, for JRES, it's the entry off of Rasmussen Rd (the frontage road by Jeremy Store) and measured to the driveway of the house and that's how they come up with there eligible map. I ensured that the measurement is done correctly and not as the crow flies since that's what I heard when I first moved here as well. I'm at 1.42 miles and would be outside of 1.5 if it was measured to the front main entry to the building itself. If they use thoroughfare (a trail), it must be accessible all year round.
living a mile and a half from the school measured "as the crow flys" should not constitute being inside the "no bus" zone... If and when the snow flies it's not like the kids are going to post hole down the trails.... They would take the roads, so at a minimum measure the distance via the roads or better yet do away with this silly rule. Not to mention We spend so much effort to reduce emissions in town and then the district insists on making parents drive their individual cars to the school.... Let's fix this please...:
I was told the 1.5 mile boundary line is "as the crow flies" - why? Do we walk as the crow flies or on streets? This whole rule is just archaic. Please change this rule!!!!
The fee is silly. The buses are half empty and are going anyway. It makes sense from all angles- economically, socially and environmentally to name a few!
If there is room on the buses then......FILL THEM!!! Such a waste.
I think that especially in the case of Jeremy Ranch all kids should be bused because of the proximity to I 80 and the Jeremy Store. I 80 is a very dangerous interstate and any child walking could be danger . In addition the traffic around the Jeremy store is unbelievable how can a 5 year old navigate around this intersection when adults have trouble and they are in a car. So please provide busing for children regardless of the distance so that we can stop putting children in what could be extreme danger.
The parents of kids considered "ineligible" are being held hostage and that hopefully is about to stop. A total rip off when buses travel with so many empty seats. My kids are grown, but this is outrageous.
Can't agree more! Fill the buses and if they are filled with eligible students then great... but let's open the aperture to minimize congestion, pollution, and increase children safety!!!
Should be allowed to ride unless the busses have filled up with students outside 1.5 miles.
Fill the yellow school buses!
Think morning traffic would be much better at 4 way stop if Jeremy families were not charged to ride the bus
Fortunately we are just within the boundary to be eligible for bus service. However, my friends children would have to sled, ski, snowboard to JRES because of the hills in our neighborhood. In the winter (most of the year) it is too cold and most parents drive their kids to whichever school and create more congestion, pollution, etc. The school has plenty of money to bus any child who wants to be bused without a fee. There are other more effective ways to raise money.
STAT OF THE DAY-- Did you know that JRES Bus # 12 can hold up to 78 kids but only 18 ride it? Also, did you know that Ecker Bus #13 holds 52 kids but only transports 41? Fill the Buses!!!
I also feel that in the 8 years my children went to Jeremy Ranch elementary I spent WELL OVER $200 a year in my time and gas picking my children up with my own car! So, I want my money back!