On the first day of school my 6 year old was all ready to get on the bus to go to first grade. Luckily I had the day off of work and drove him to the daycare bus stop so he could learn the route and bus numbers. When the bus arrived the driver stopped and told myself, and the other parents that his bus was completely full and he would only be able to take our kids if they stood or sat on another child's lap. We were all completely against this and decided instead to drive the kids to school that day. When I got home I called the transportation department to complain. To make a long story short, I found out in the next two days that the transportation department obviously does not have childrens safety as a high priority. Along with my daycare provider we have decided to pen a petition to have the policies currently in place changed. We have found out first that all children in the Isanti area are bussed across MN Hwy 65 4 times per day!! This is one of the deadliest hiways in MN and is totally unnecessary since the school they attend is on the same side of the hiway and the busses drive past it to cross the hiway. The second problem, and I just moved to this area from the twin cities so am new to the rural life, is that all children from kindergarten through High School are all on the same bus. My 6 year old doesn't need to be exposed to the possible bullying and even violence this can cause. I am asking for advice on how to handle this situation and for support against the school board that approved these policies.
Well, so far, we went to the school board meeting and said our peace. They listened and assured us that they will be working on the problems addressed. The next day my husband got a call from the district transportation department telling him our son would be on a different bus. My son now says the new bus isn't so crowded and he can even sit alone in his seat sometimes. We have gotten letters posted in the local and county newspapers and the editors of those papers have also had articles done about the schoolboard meeting. We have several signatures on our petition but are running into problems with getting it to people since many in our area do not have internet service!?? We have set up an electronic petition at http://www.isd911petition.org/ if anyone here lives in the 911 school district and would like to sign. I'll keep you updated on any more changes. At the October School Board meeting a action was approved to set up a task force to look at and come up with some solutions. Haven't heard who will be on that task force yet but hoping either myself or my daycare provider are asked.
I'd be writing letters to local government, the school board and the news and/or paper. This is not exceptable.
Anyone that will listen tell. Safety of our kids is just as important as Education itself!
Hey sis,
I have to say that I am so proud of you for doing something about a wrong. We both know that the policies and the way you and other concerned moms in the area have been treated regarding this issue and the safety of your children is inexcusable. It is sometimes hard and slow work to make changes. This is one of those times where you remind me of mom (and I mean that as the best of compliments). I wish you luck. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out. I want my nephew safe too. Stay true and show that tenacity I always knew you had in you.
T.,
Good luck with this one. We moved two years ago to Forest Lake from Eden Prairie. We thought we were just moving to another suburb, but this feels like a rural area compared to what we left. Isanti is probably similar to here but even more rural. I think your best bet is to write a letter to the superintendent and then follow that up with your petition at a school board meeting. In order to do what you would like, the Transportation Policy would have to change. Ask to see a copy of that policy. Most districts have it on their website. If not, ask at the district office. Don't be surprised if you run into opposition, apathy, and ignorance. There are a lot of people living up here who don't want the people from the cities telling them what to do. If all this doesn't help, join the Policy Committee of the School Board and help to affect change in that way. The school bus safety issue should be reported to the Department of Education at the state level. Why did the crowding happen in the first place? Did they have more new students at the last minute? Do they not have enough busses? Keep us posted.
