The Howard County PTA Council wants the county school board to take another look at its policy of not providing buses for elementary school pupils who live less than a mile from schools -- a policy that parents say forces some children to walk along dangerous routes.
The council soon will launch a survey at all county schools to determine the safety of children's walking paths, whether the paths need to be patrolled or whether all students should be bused. Older students ride buses if they live more than 1.5 miles from schools.
Despite parents' complaints over the past few months, the school board several times has refused to alter its policy of not providing buses to elementary school children who live within one mile of their school unless conditions are unsafe. In the past, there have also been complaints from some parents of middle and high school students who must walk to class.
Despite the council's interest in the busing issue, the board has not decided whether to reconsider its policy, according to board members late last week.
In addition to conducting its survey, the council also wants the school board to define "acceptable level of safety," the key phrase in the school system's busing policy.
"There doesn't seem to be any definition of what that is. There are no detailed standards, like ravines, visibility or icy conditions," said Liz Williams, a Waterloo Elementary School parent who recently appealed to the board to get bus service reinstated for her neighborhood. The opening of a new walking path in her community prompted the school system this year to stop bus service there. Ms. Williams joins a growing number of Howard parents who say times have changed so much that it's not safe for children to walk to school anymore.
"I've lived in Columbia for 13 years," said Wanda Hurt, head of the PTA Council's safety committee that is conducting the survey. "Back then, you could go anywhere in Howard County on pathways and back routes and feel safe. And now you're not."
The debate for bus service touches upon a fundamentally larger issue -- the extent of a school system's responsibility for its pupils.
And the demands for more bus transportation come at a time when schools are faced with myriad other costly demands, particularly for mainstreaming special education students and rapidly building schools to accommodate spiraling growth.
"You're talking dollars," said board member Susan Cook, the most senior member who will likely replace chairman Dana Hanna, who announced months ago he would not seek re-election.
"The school system's population is rapidly growing, a situation we have no control over. And our funding is being cut every year. We really have to put our resources in the classroom. That is my top priority, and I think that is the board's as well. The school system cannot take on all of the responsibilities for the students," Ms. Cook said. "The parents have to take responsibilities" for ensuring their children get to school safely.
While Ms. Cook said she's not inclined to change the bus policy, other board members said they're willing to give it a look, but make no promises.
"If parents in the county are concerned about the safety of kids, then we have to look at the policy," said newly elected board member Stephen Bounds, who takes his seat at Thursday's board meeting. "If people want us to take a look at that, I will be willing to do it. I can't prejudge the issue."
Board member Linda Johnston also advocated a second look at the policy. She said the answer may be to get the community and the school system to work collaboratively. Perhaps the county can put up pedestrian walking signs to slow drivers, she said, or have retired volunteers take turns walking young students to and from schools.
"We have to be creative and look at solutions," she said. "The simple answer may not be taking money from our budget alone. Maybe we have to look at charging for transportation. Things are tight."
Since the beginning of this year, the school board has heard at least three appeals from parents who want their children to have bus service because they felt the walking paths were unsafe. The board has turned down all the appeals, saying to do otherwise would require an across-the-board policy change.
The most recent appeal, not yet heard by the board, comes from Laurel Woods Elementary School, where parents are asking for the third time to have bus service for about 25 North Laurel Park students who walk to school.
Parents complain the unpaved walking path along North Laurel Road is unsafe for children, especially during rush hour. A hearing date on their appeal will not be set until after two new board members assume office this week.
"I think the policy really needs to be looked at and rethought," said parent Pat Flynn, who filed the Laurel Woods appeal. "We're living in a different world today. You have to consider what society is like today and how safe are your children."