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Show f School's Busing Poliq Expected In May JU By TOM BUSSELBERG North County Editor FARMINGTON -- Depending on how a new law is interpreted, the Davis School District could save Jhousands of dollars in transportation costs while 'mPlementing a strict busing policy. ' THE DISTRICT was penalized $157,000 last year by state officials for busing in-eligible students, or hose who live slower than 1 Vi miles to school or two miles for secondary. At the same time, work should be completed on a new transportation policy by May for board approval, as well. . That would remove busing some students who live coser than the state-supported distances who have been bused because of parent pressures, many times. Some students are bused currently because of hazard, such as near Woods Cross Elementary where busing is conducted because students would have to cross freeway ramps and other major traffic arteries. AS EXPLAINED by District Transportation Supervisor Su-pervisor Richard Butler, the new busing policy would be based on a strict point system, currently being completed by a citizens committee that includes in-cludes Dr. Butler as chairman; Quay Burbank of Layton; Geri Siddoway and Thuryle Quayle of Bountiful; Dot Fondario of Kaysville, Pennie AIsup of Clearfield, Ernest Hill of Sunset and Colin Hart of Kaysville. Over the last nearly half year, they ve spent hours in good or bad weather visiting dozens of sites where students walk to school, evaluating conditions for a grading system. Included in that is a point system ranging from 10 for an area without sidewalks, curb and gutter and possible visionary blocks, such as curves, to an area with sidewalks, 15 mile per hour school area speed limit that would receive only a one. ALSO CONSIDERED is the volume of traffic one half hour before and after school, with extra points given for trucks, including the number of pedestrian students and their age level, with highest points given for kindergarten students. While he presented a list of hazardous areas during a presentation to the board of education, Dr. Butler declined to provide copies to the board or press due to changes that may be made before the final decision comes in May. BOARD PRES. Sheryl Allen emphasized a decision deci-sion should be made before school's out the end of May, alerting parents to any changes. While it's still uncertain what interpretation state officials will put on Senate Bill 334, Dr. Butler said it should allow carrying ineligible students if no extra expense is allowed and Mrs. Allen agreed that at the worst, transportation shouldn't cost any extra in 1983-84. It won't affect the current year. HE USED the example of 400 N. 1000 W. in Kaysville, Kays-ville, where a bus must be sent by state distance regulations to pick up 10 youngsters. That leaves 80 empty seats. "Should we drive by all the other kids CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 |
