Is there a way to petition the school board to get my kids a bus?

Question

The neighborhood that I live in happens to be the neighborhood that I grew up in, I moved away for 15 years, however, though my kids go to the same school that I went to , there is no longer a bus to this neighborhood.

I called the schoolboard to ask why, and they told me there was never a bus to this area, this has always been a walking area. And the only way I would have gotten a bus is if I were in kindergarten, they are so wrong, my brother and I started at this school when we were 2nd and 3rd grade and we both went through the 5th in this neighborhood on a bus.

The school did do a demolition and rebuild, but it moved further.

It is less than a mile to the property, but just at a mile to the door, my kids are 6 and 8, and I think that is way too young.

Do I just have to deal with it, or is there anything that I can do?

I know neighborhood parents will join in with me.

Answer 1

dont bother you cant win just get up and drive them or walk them to the school

buses are for  kids who are more than a mile from the school your not get over it

Answer 2

School districts have busing based on distance. Busing costs money. You do just have to deal with it. Your children are your responsibility.

Answer 3

I think it varies by state.  My kids live within walking distance, but since they would have to cross a dangerous street, they are provided with a bus.  I would check what the guidelines are in your state.

It's also required by state law here that they school provides you with a written explanation of the policy at the beginning of the school year.

Answer 4

Of course you can try, but in my school district, where funds are tight, it wouldn't fly.  Where we live, if you're under 2 miles from the school you can ask to ride a bus but you have to pay a (pretty substantial) fee.  You might be able to lobby your school district for a similar accommodation -- if the parents' fees were going to foot the bill for the bus, they might provide it.

6 and 8 are certainly old enough to walk the mile to school with an adult along for the walk (my kids have done it occasionally since kindergarten -- we're exactly a mile from the school grounds, but unfortunately on some roads without sidewalks and some others with lots of traffic).  I agree it's probably too young to go by themselves (unless you live somewhere pretty rural), so unfortunately that means driving or carpooling if you can't walk with them.

Answer 5

In our area, it is anything within' 1/2 mile is walking, everything else they have to provide transportation - if they can't, they have to reimburse the parent for every mile over the 1/2 mile.  Check your school board policy manual, which should be available online.

Answer 6

If you live within two miles of a school in New Jersey, you are considered a "walker".  I'm not sure if this is a State regulation or if this is US wide.  Check with your States Education website.  If you can't find the answer, it may give you a number to call to see what the regulations are in your area.  Unfortunately, i don't think a petition will work, but you have nothing to lose by trying!

Good Luck!