Survey puts CC school transportation issue at ease for now

Despite results from a 2013 efficiency study that revealed Charles City schools had saved $51,000 over a four-year span since switching to a two-tier school bus system, debate incorporated with public opinion wondered if the savings were worth alleged dissatisfaction from parents. However, results from a recent survey produced other public opinion.

Charles City High School assistant principal Jerome Tyler’s 15-minute transportation presentation during Charles City School Board’s monthly meeting addressed concerns about the two-tier system. Receiving survey responses from 203 parents out of 585 polled (34 percent), more than 91 percent yielded favorable overall satisfaction for the current transportation system.

The 10-question survey provided answers to issues about the two-tier system and possible options to make it convenient for parents. Survey results revealed 71 percent of respondents were satisfied with current bus transportation. Responses also indicated that 96 percent of parents were comfortable with safety on the buses.

A mixed bag of results did return on some questions according to Tyler. When asked about grouping all students in grades K-12 on one bus so they may attend school at the same time, 49 percent of respondents were opposed while 33 percent favored the suggestion with the remaining 18 percent undecided.

Similar results stemmed from a question of switching the elementary school’s start time of 9 a.m. with the middle/high school’s start time of 7:30 a.m. as a result of scientific research that says younger students benefit from an earlier school day. About 41 percent of survey results favored leaving the times as they are, while 23 percent would like the times switched. Approximately 36 percent of those surveyed were undecided. Tyler chimed in that if schools choose the route of switching starting times, older students participating in spring sports would miss classroom time due to being excused to participate in contests.

One final question concerned students meeting at a community bus stop (a location where students living in close proximity would meet to board/unload the school bus). While the suggestion was offered as a cost-cutting and time-saving measure, 49 percent of respondents did not approve. Only 26 percent agreed with the suggestion.

District 3 board member Martha Harris commented on the community bus stop, saying she was not in favor.

“I can’t see having a child walk anywhere from one-eighth of a mile to a quarter-mile to catch the bus,” she said. “I just don’t like the idea.”

At-large member Preston Adkins said while he agrees in principle with Harris, he would like to see neighborhoods work together to cut down the number of the stops.

“I can understand where Ms. Harris is coming from, but I don’t see why the bus has to stop every half-a-length,” he said. “Every morning I commute and whenever I get behind a bus and it never turns its yellow lights off to pick up kids, it can cause a delay on the road.

“I am hoping communities can work out something so that maybe we can save a little bit of time for these kids to get home and get to school quicker.”

Tyler said students spend an average of 30 minutes on the bus, according to survey results. Superintendent of schools David Gaston said community stops may be experimental in the future.

“From our GPS results, we have determined a few clustered areas that we are looking at,” Gaston said. “I believe these may be some focus areas if the board chooses to go this route.”

In other action, Gaston received final suggestions in preparation for his superintendent’s budget presentation in December. The superintendent presented three options that have been debated in an effort to establish a basis for building the FY2015-16 budget.

One item topping the list was the number of instructional days. Currently, the school is on a 168-day calendar for instruction. At-large board member Steve Fuhrmann has pushed for more days, and according to interim finance director Ray Watson, the cost is minimal for the additional days.

“It would cost the schools $2,000 a day, or $24,000 for the total of 12 days,” Watson said. “You will already have the employees and other amenities in place and the additional costs would be for bus drivers and fuel.”

School board members gave approval for Gaston to build his budget based on a 180-day instructional calendar. The board also agreed for the proposed budget to be constructed with a basis of 12-month health insurance premium payments, a renegotiated contract for outsourcing custodial services, and the possibility of outsourcing substitute teachers.