HENRY DIBRELL AND THE KATY ISD SCHOOL BUS ISSUE:
HENRY DIBRELL AND THE SCHOOL BUS ISSUE:
Katy ISD Trustee Issues Statement on Bus Cutback Complaints
JOHN PAPE AUGUST 13, 2012 · 105 COMMENTS
In the face of criticism over cutbacks in bus routes for the upcoming school year, one Katy ISD Trustee has issued a statement urging parents to voice their concerns to their student’s school principal.
In the statement, Trustee Henry Dibrell also said he was confident any distance calculation errors for bus eligibility would be addressed, and that the district was committed to the safety of students.
He also called the decision to cut back on bus routes “difficult” for the board, but necessary due to a shortage of bus drivers. Dibrell also noted that Katy ISD was the only district in the area to continue to provide bus transportation in areas less than the state-mandated two-mile requirement.
Dibrell’s statement read as follows:
“Thank you for your message. I understand your concerns about the change in student transportation. I suggest you contact your campus principal and/or the transportation department to tell them of your concerns or issues. I have confidence that any errors made in distance calculation will be corrected. While this change was a difficult decision for the Board of Trustees, it was a necessary one. Due to budget concerns and problems with being able to hire enough bus drivers it was necessary to reduce our bus service. KISD is the only district in the surrounding area that continues to provide safe transportation inside the 2 mile state reimbursement requirement. We will continue to make every effort to provide transportation above and beyond what is required and know that you can appreciate our challenges in these difficult economic times.”
Dibrell also e-mailed the statement to a number of concerned parents who had contacted him about the issue.
In May, the board of trustees eliminated more than 50 bus routes, affecting approximately 6,600 students, or nearly 21 percent of the 32,000 students that rode buses to school in the previous school year.
The changes were the result of the transportation department experiencing problems in having a sufficient number of drivers available to meet daily transportation route requirements.
“The change in transportation services comes after extensive review of our current transportation operations that not only revealed a heavy burden for drivers covering multiple routes, but also a high amount of uncertainty and risk due to vacant routes and driver absences,” Superintendent Alton Frailey said when the cutbacks were announced. “In comparison to other school districts, Katy ISD’s transportation eligibility distances remain among the shortest in the Houston area as many districts require students to live outside of a two-mile radius.”
In June, the school board also approved a $625,000 plan to build more than 21,000 feet of additional sidewalks around a dozen district campuses to provide a greater degree of safety for students who walk to school.
In addition, the district has launched a new transportation hotline at 281-396-6008, as well as a new webpage, to answer parents’ questions about new transportation eligibility guidelines.
While few parents voiced concerns about the changes at the time trustees made the decision, many have come forward in recent weeks to complain the methodology being used by the district to calculate the distances for bus eligibility was flawed, and that some students will be forced to cross potentially-hazardous intersections when walking to school.
105 Comments
babytigerAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 1:07 PM
Thank you Mr. Dibrell…
redbirdlaneAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:21 PM
The reason people did not complain in May when it was announced was because we were told that no students would have to cross hazardous areas. Most of us assumed that we were safe because of this statement. But then when the routes were actually released last week, we learned that the district has a different definition of hazardous than what we, as parents have. So the last paragraph of Dibrell’s statement is flawed. The only reason we did not voice concerns at that time was because we did not have the route information yet.
ProudMamaAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:22 PM
The reactions that you are getting are as the result of deliberately trying to hide the methodology used to create these walk zones, and to just fly under the radar. As the crow flies works well when you are a crow. When you are a freshly turned 5 year old who walks PAST the bus stop on your .9 mile walk to school while your across the street neighbor gets on the bus, there is no way to argue that this is logical. My house is further from school, my children are the youngest in my subdivision, and my children are not bus eligible.
I feel very badly for the student, and there will be one, who is hurt walking on a “deemed to be safe” route. Once that happens, and the lawsuits begin, any cost savings will be negated. The 99 is not a safe-to-cross street. The lanes of traffic, the u-turn lanes, I cannot believe that someone would say that it was safe. Mason? Kingsland? It’s a matter of when, not if.
PHardilekAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:24 PM
While I understand the need to cut back, I don’t agree with the parameters. 1/2 miles isn’t far to walk at all, but the district is measuring this by radius – in other words, as the crow flies. My kids can not walk to school as the crow flies – they have to stick to the street – none of which have sidewalks in my community. I can easily drop them in the morning, but will have to leave early to pick them up.
Yes, in days or yore kids were able to either get the bus or make the walk, but guess what? Things are different these days – both my husband and I have to work for a living – I am not a stay at home mom, so leaving work early puts my job in jeopardy. I will gladly do whatever it takes to keep my kids safe, but let’s be realistic – they need to measure this in the distance the kids walk – not “as the crow flies” – my kids can’t walk through yards and over fences to get home without being run over by a high schooler drag racing down the street.
ProudMamaAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:29 PM
I suggested that they explore the option of pay-as-you-ride. Many states are offering these programs in order to provide bus service to students in need. Most of these school districts provide a free option for students living a certain distance away (2 miles?), but still give the bus option to students who live closer. Parents with students at a safely walkable distance will usually not pay. However, for those of us concerned about a real safety issue, it would be a great option. I, for one, would be more than willing to pay for this service.
PHardilekAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:56 PM
I’d pay as well – small price for my kid’s safety!
LoriAnnAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 3:23 PM
ProudMama, I would be willing to pay for bus service, also, just to make sure my child is safe.
DavidCLAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 4:20 PM
Fact of the matter is we are already paying. KISD has the third highest tax rate in the state.
KatyhomeownerAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 5:31 PM
LoriAnn, before you are willing to pay more for transportation keep in mind that KISD just installed a $1MM scoreboard at Rhodes stadium and all the 5th graders at my son’s school had personal iphones. But when they had to cut back 2 [SIC] years ago, it was the teachers that were let go, not administrators.
Just for the fun of it, count how many houses are on your street and multiply that number by your school tax bill, then compare it to how many kids there are… we pay enough in taxes!
e5c4p3AUGUST 13, 2012 AT 2:57 PM
I agree will all comments! How can they think that Cinco Ranch/Grand Parkway is not hazardous. We are one of the many without bus service as well.. My child will have to walk more that 1.6 miles and cross the that dangerous intersection. It is going to be a mess for walkers, drivers and buses. KISD works very hard to set themselves above other districts… so it seems hypocritical and quite convenient for them to compare when it serves their purposes. But, then again their “As the crow” flies 1 mile radius is not realistic either(hence the nickname it has earned) Those “other” districts don’t pay the high taxes we do…we came here for the schools because they are supposed to be a cut above…they have the cut part right
Mary McGarrAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 3:07 PM
I thought only the Board President could issue “statements” of explanation for Board actions.
If Dr. Proctor or Mr. Huckaby try to explain just THEIR positions, they get staked and set on fire!
Come to think of it, when WAS the public debate about this issue? Lots of people have moved to Katy ISD because it had bus transportation for all students. Had there been a venue for discussion, I’m sure parents would have had something to say in the matter.
If there aren’t enough bus drivers, perhaps some resourcefulness needs to occur. How about paying more in salaries? The District seems to have plenty of money for everything else they want. We have recently bought a bunch of new buses with some of that bond money–will they now be given away for pennies on the dollar to some “poor” district in the Valley?
For discussion’s sake, a full time bus driver makes about $18,000, and a part time bus driver makes about $14,000. Those are pretty low wages considering the effort and the responsibility.
For the record, all board members at the board meeting in May voted to cut the service. Neal Howard made the motion, and Robert Shaw the second. Voting for the motion were Joe Adams, Rebecca Fox, Robert Shaw, Neal Howard, Bill Proctor, and Henry Dibrell. Mr. Huckaby was absent from the meeting.
LoriAnnAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 3:24 PM
Thank you for the names of those willing to support this….that will help us around election time.
DavidCLAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 4:28 PM
Henry Dibrell was also the only member that voted against the allocation of the funds to complete the additional sidewalks. As a side note, Adams and Fox’s terms are up in 2013
Just Wondering2AUGUST 13, 2012 AT 5:26 PM
Terms being up is one thing. Ending their service is another.
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:51 AM
BINGO!
As we saw LAST election, the status quo is quite clearly here to stay until Big Al finds something bigger/better and moves on – and likely before the real shittake hits the fan.
lost my mindAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:26 AM
in fairness to Henry, he thought the money should not be pulled from the operational budget and the cost of the sidewalks should be capitalized with bond money saving the cash flow for things like teacher salaries, more bus drivers, fine arts programs, etc.
Henry did not have an objection to providing sidewalks, just how to pay for them.
justcause79AUGUST 13, 2012 AT 5:09 PM
Who’s school district is this anyway?
Don’t we get any input prior to these huge changes?
Since we have cut 50+ bus routes, I can only assume we have 50+ buses sitting idle somewhere. Wow! we saved on driver fees, insurance, maintenance, storage, etc., but did we save a child?
For that vast investment (waste) we could have advertised, hired, screened, trained and hired bus drivers. We have the facilities to advertise, hire, screen, train police, teachers, aides, office personnel, janitors, (administrators?), et al. We used a mighty shallow excuse to cut bus services all for the sake of economy. The ‘secret’ that we were hiring bus drivers did not reach the general public.
Yes, we have lots of nice, new sidewalks, but we need safe transportation for our students. Put those buses back on the streets!
What is value (cost) of one maimed or deceased student or one lawsuit?
Just Wondering2AUGUST 13, 2012 AT 5:25 PM
With respect to Trustee Dibrell, his advise is worthless.
It won’t do any good to call the principal or the transportation department, they have NO power to act.
Oddly enough the only body which has the power to act is the one Mr. Dibrell sits on already, the board of trustees.
If he wants to get the information sorted out, I suggest persons contact the people who drew the lines and made their recommendations to the BOT. Let them work it out. All the BOT has to do is nothing and/or pass a resolution instructing Mr. Frailey to sort this mess out.
Please recall this is the same Frailey who was in charge of the deplorable manner in which our teachers were let go last year for no good reason as it turned out. Trustee Griffin told us during the campaign this was a primary motivator for his running for BOT as his wife was let go.
Teacher firings, and student safety; two big items impacting the entire district. Two big items botched unnecessarily.
The problem began at the ESC. Let the ESC solve it. Call them and ring the phone off the hook, not the campus or transportation center as they are just the soldiers carrying out the ESC’s orders.
lost my mindAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 10:26 PM
JW2 It seems once again we have problems without solutions.
Do you know anyone willing to run for school board this next year we can support with a level head and an understanding of what is going on?
It is time for the grown ups to take notice of how things are not being done in Katy.
It might be time for a nominating effort and a few dollars to be collected to get someone we trust in place to get things moving, and in some cases to stop things from moving any further along.
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:55 AM
lost:
People had two excellent alternatives in this past election and chose to maintain the status quo. Sadly, it is what it is until the “leadership” at the Merrell complex and on the BOT changes. Even more sadly, that same “leadership” crew will be gone as soon as things really start to nosedive and big bills come due – and leave everyone else to clean up years of messes all at once.
mhatresAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 5:38 PM
Not finding enough bus drivers, please come up with some other excuse. You can not find bus drivers when the economy is in recession? I am sure lot of bus drivers in other school districts are loosing the jobs.
I doubt KISD did any study on hazardous conditions. They just looked at half a mile straight distance. This was a complete misleading. I was under impression that my bus service will continue because we have to cross a bridge over Mason Creek. So KISD changed the definition of hazardous too now? If they show rules to us, they better also go by rules.
Is anybody planning to protest?
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:00 AM
mahtres:
The school bus driver shortage isn’t a KISD phenomenon in the least – I DO believe the district when they say they don’t have enough drivers. In addition to route drivers, there’s field trips, athletic trips (though coaches are mandated to be CDL certified – at their own expense – and drive their own teams) and other things that they can’t keep enough drivers around to do. Paying more money won’t make a difference.
If you want to know why, Google “school bus monitor” and watch the bullying video from last spring. This also isn’t restricted to just one age level or area of the country. Many people won’t even consider becoming a school bus driver because a number of bus-riding kids today are the nastiest, least-respectful little punks that you could ever be around – boys AND girls alike. The shortage of drivers in KISD is real.
forrealAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 6:50 PM
I guess the real problem here is that the district really could care less what we the people think or feel. They teach what the founding fathers battled through, how we didn’t want to live under the rule of a distant king, the rights we have to protest and peaceable assembly, the right to petition and then just do as they wish and more than likely for personal gain I would imagine. What’s wrong with calling a vote on this issue with all the TAX paying households? When it comes to running a school district, great schools with top teachers and busing should be the basic business model. Any perks beyond that should be reviewed by the tax payers. This is not a hard concept. Safety should be the focus here. I really feel a group of 5th graders from BizTown could do a better job than this group and for a great salary I might add. We picked Katy to raise our families because of what it offers…. not what it takes away.
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:21 AM
Anyone attend the BOT meetings where the transportation issues were discussed? Anyone attend the BOT meetings where the sidewalks were discussed? Anyone read anything about this before August 6th?
My guess is that many of you who are complaining about not knowing didn’t show up and listen to the discussion… But now, now that you are put out, it’s the end of the world and you’re looking for a tree and a rope…
Bus transportation within a certain distance is frivolous and wasteful… There has always been a walking distance since busing was made available to school children… KISD has had a shorter distance than most and still does with the changes…
The real issues are that people don’t want to be inconvenienced and have to make changes or arrangements to get their kids to school IF they don’t want them to walk… The measurement of the new walking distance doesn’t seem to be fair in some cases… And there are some paths up for discussion as to their safety for the kids… Two are valid, the other, well not so much…
Regarding taxes paying for your bus service, I no longer have children who go to KISD and therefore have no need for busing at all… I’ll bet there are many, many people who pay school taxes who are in the same boat… Busing is not your right but a service provided by the school district… To say they don’t care because the distance is .6 or 1 mile is wrong… Would they care even less if it were 2 miles like other districts or they care more because the distance is less than the norm? It is a two way street…
Is the implementation without error, nope… Let the people on the BOT and at the admin office deal with this and give them a chance to fix what can and should be fixed… Even then some will not like the answer…
lost my mindAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:31 AM
Don’t get too hyped up buddy. They don’t vote in school board elections either. You should know that by know. They sleep until someone shakes them with shocking news, otherwise the do not disturb sign is hanging on their front doors.
I wish the most pressing things facing our district was how to measure the distance to the front door. While this talent is important, it is way down the list of items needing attention before our district sinking out of sight with poor planning and too much debt on an already over taxed community.
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:19 AM
The issue for us isn’t that the kids have to walk, but that they have to cross a dangerous street with no offer of protection for their safety. It doesn’t hurt for them to walk, only to get hit by traffic on the busiest street in town!
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:17 PM
I get that point and agree with you… They were supposed to flag and then provide service to those students… They would not be the BOT but those in transportation who are responsible for this mess…
forrealAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:45 PM
You may not need bus service babytiger but I promise you there are many of us in the same boat paying for your Medicare / Medicaid service that don’t need it either. Safety is the main focus here. Focus on that.
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:24 PM
I’m not disputing that safety isn’t important just that not everyone has a right to bus service just because they pay taxes… When you use the “I pay taxes and deserve bus service” approach the natural response is that the act of paying school taxes doesn’t guarantee a bus stopping in front of your house if your live too close… On the flip side, if you’re asked to walk you should have a safe route for your kids to follow and if one is not available (such as crossing 99) then service should be provided…
James YaklinAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 7:08 AM
I have no doubt that a strong cold front has reached the gates of Hell as I actually agree with the infantile feline on something.
babytigerAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 9:03 AM
Freaky, huh?
westsidebillAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 12:21 PM
James:
On the rare occasions that I have experienced agreement with babytiger, I find that there’s basically two ways to combat the situation: Dr. Patron or Crowning myself Royally for an entire evening.
babytigerAUGUST 16, 2012 AT 11:38 AM
Rare indeed… It’s refreshing to know that you are not always 100% wrong on the issues… There’s still hope… :-)
tired of excusesAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 10:20 PM
I have been communicating with 3 board members all day today & I got the same old excuses from all of them. No drivers-not enough money…….KE students have to cross one of the busiest streets in Katy-Avenue D-which I know isn’t as bad as Grand Parkway,etc. Never the less, the problem is the same. One of the board members said it was the city of Katy’s responsibility to provide a safe crossing for these students since the district pays the city so much in taxes. Even our Police Chief thinks they made a bad mistake and he told them so, but they just ignored it. I want to know what kind of excuses they are going to use when a child crossing one of these busy streets or roads gets run over or killed. I hope they have enough money for the lawsuits.
lost my mindAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 7:22 AM
Which three?
Momof2AUGUST 14, 2012 AT 1:30 PM
Tired of Excuses – I’m in the same boat as you are. Shocked that my son will have to cross Avenue D to get to school either by 10th street (no sidewalks but it does have a flashing light) or down by George Bush (where there are sidewalks, but no “crosswalk”). But, my hope is since there are a lot of children in that area, stay at home parents (or retired) will step up and act as crossing guards or that even the fire deparment – since it’s right there – will help monitor as the kids cross the street.
As far as one comment that the Board or whoever said it was up to the City to provide some sort of crossing safety – what about the thousands of other Katy peeps that do not get City of Katy protection. Who do they go to?
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:26 PM
I think it is pretty nervy of the board member to drop this in the city’s lap in the first place. The district is the one that made this ridiculous decision so they should have to deal with it.
Momof2AUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:39 PM
2 things:
1. I would call that Board member out. – But that’s just me. :)
2. I think early morning PE is going to reach capacity.
viccasAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 11:02 PM
Can someone brief the best way to complain. My street was excluded from route. As of now the driving distance from my home is more then 0.5 mile but bird’s eye would be less. Households on our street wants to protest.
Thanks..
lost my mindAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 7:23 AM
Go straight to Mr. Frailey’s office and flood it with all of your concerns. He has the power to act.
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:22 AM
If you find out, I would like to know. As I said we have gone to the board members with nothing but a bunch of excuses and run arounds. Good luck is all I can say!
imustbeheardAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 11:08 PM
Wow. The logic and reasoning behind our BOT’s decision to make these changes has no ground. Seriously- they can remove 50 routes, afford the wasted monies spent on the buses themselves, AND fire those drivers, but have $625,000 to allocate for new sidewalks (which SHOULD have been placed there when the schools were built). Along with the aforementioned stadium scoreboard, constant computer model updates and, my favorite, replacing regular clocks in the halls of the schools with DIGITAL clocks (i.e. our students are no longer taught how to tell time traditionally)- it seems that our BOT has their heads not only screwed on upside-down and backwards, but in the wrong hemisphere of their torso. KatyISD, as a whole, is in a fast-moving, downward spiral. Thank goodness for the select few teachers that have stuck it out for the sake of the kids. If everyone became a sell out like the BOT, we would never recover. Spend wisely dear district and stop covering your backside for frivolties many of us can not afford. BUS TRANSPORTATION IS NOT A FRIVOLOUS EXPENDITURE!
tired of excusesAUGUST 13, 2012 AT 11:13 PM
I totally agree. They seem to have money to spend on everything else, but let’s take away bus service for elementary students who can’t protect themselves. What happens if it is storming with thundering and lightening when school is out? Are they supposed to walk home in that, too, and maybe be struck by lightening? I tell you these board members as well as the sup don’t give a rip for the kids no matter what they say. It is more important to spend money on frivolous things than a student’s safety. I know who I WON’T vote for when re-elections come up!
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 12:53 PM
tired:
Hate to rain on your parade here (pun intended), but millions of students of all ages have walked home in rainstorms for hundreds of years and a truly miniscule number of them have been struck by lightning. The busy streets: I get that concern. The rain? You need to be serious.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:40 PM
WSB, I walked to school from kindergarten through 6th grade then we moved about ten miles away. It was then I found out bus service was available.
Dad left in the morning for work, we had one family car and three young ones at home. When it rained mom suggested we wear a rain coat, when it was cold she thought a jacket might be nice, and when it was both, well you get the idea, a jacket under the rain coat.
I don’t recall ever being too cold or too wet if I dressed correctly and I was never struck by lightening. We did have to cross a busy country road that ran in front of the school area (grades K-12 were all on the same section of land). But then again mom suggested we stop and look both ways, look again, and then if clear, cross.
Gosh mom was one smart lady.
I too share concerns about safety and we need to do all we can to ensure it for all our kids. Walking, getting wet, maybe being hot or cold, is part of life. Somehow they will toughen up and make it to adult hood. Mary’s comment about high school students not riding the bus is largely correct. They call the big yellow bus the “loser cruiser” and won’t go near it. There are of course exceptions. The kids who attend Taylor and live near Hwy 6 will ride it unless of course one of them has a car and dad’s credit card.
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:00 PM
The beef here isn’t the kids walking in the rain. It is the safety concerns of them having to cross busy streets. I don’t know your age but my guess is there wasn’t near the traffic on that country road that there is say on Grand Parkway, etc. today!
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:27 PM
JW2:
You forgot about the part of it being “uphill both ways…”
James YaklinAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 7:15 AM
To be fair, providing bus service doesn’t provide any of the BOT’s cronies an opportunity to suckle at the district’s teat. Hence, it is fairly low priority to them.
Now scoreboards and electronic signs? Well, that gives Mr. Stan Stanley, friend of the Status Quo BOTs, an opportunity to make a few dollars.
Look at their checkbook and you will know where their heart is.
But in all fairness to the BOT, all of you either put them there or allowed them to stay with your apathy.
Just sayin’…
biffthestiffAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 12:06 AM
The termination in bus routes caught me by surprise. It wasn’t until another parent mentioned it, and I verified it, that I received a postcard in the mail advising me of the change.
My 6 year old will not walk .8 miles in a neighborhood with no sidewalks. The only reason we moved to Katy from Houston was the school and the bus system. now, my 12 year old will have to walk or ride his bike across a major street as well? No thanks. My house is going on the market at the end of the week. God forbid someone loses a kid to this stupidity, but it won’t be mine.
Pay the damn bus drivers more, and they won’t quit on you.
jamesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:01 AM
Who are you listing it with? I might be interested.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 16, 2012 AT 7:59 AM
No, you won’t be interested in this property. I understand there is no bus service to the local school. Run away as fast as you can before you make a serious financial mistake. You can thank me later.
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 2:56 AM
New buses on the list to purchase were shelved… No drivers were fired… Facts are a terrible thing…
cmhightoAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:08 AM
The question the board keeps asking is why didn’t parents get upset when the changes were announced last spring. The reason is the board NEVER said the distances would be calculated based on the way a crow flies. When the first email came from the district saying that elementary bus routes would be cut for less than a 1/2 mile, I looked on web query to see if I needed to start planning for other arrangements, and it stated that our bus stop was 0.78 miles from the school. I assumed we were safe. The district kept the “as a crow flies” to them selves until Aug. 6. That is why parents are so upset. Kids cannot run through people’s backyards. I know kids going to the high school who are supposed to walk 2 miles to the high school, because they can’t get to school by cutting through people’s yards. Really? Carrying their heavy backpacks, band instruments,, in the rain? How come the district never stated that the distances would be calculated differently than they had in the past? I spoke with a woman the other day that told me I only live .25 miles from the school. How can that be true when I have had bus service for the last 10 years when we had to live further than .33 miles to have bus service. The truth is we live .9 miles to elementary school for the shortest distance that can actually be walked.
On another note, I certainly hope the district will be paying overtime to the poor teachers that have car rider duty. They will be putting kids into cars until atleast 4:45 at this rate. Teachers already spend numerous hours each day that are after and before contract hours, planning and grading for our children and their classes. I think the board members need to be assigned car rider duty at the campuses.
I understand the state rule is to provide buses if you live further than 2 miles. Why did the district hide their as the crow flies measurement then? They changed the way they measured and did not tell parents until Aug. 6. Also, most school districts do not have campuses as large as ours, which makes for unsafe dismissal procedures. Most other districts have much smaller campuses.
I always support the bond elections. I understand that we need new schools and to remodel aging campuses. I am in full support of purchasing materials for our children and teachers. We all voted for the purchase of new buses and maintenance in the last bond. We voted “yes” for those funds. Then the board takes it away? We voted for it!
I lost faith with KATY ISD last week.
ProudMamaAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:10 AM
I don’t know that it will do any good, but have any of you contacted the Parent Advocate? I did yesterday, because I have a child who turned 5 two weeks ago and is very excited about Kindergarten. I am excited too, but confused about why we will have to walk PAST a bus stop on our way to school because my house is ineligible, but my neighbor across the street is, as is the house that is two doors down. Both of these houses are closer in actual walking distance than ours. In our case they didn’t eliminate a bus route, they just say that my two elementary school children can not get on the bus at the stop.
Before anyone asks – - we just moved here from another State. We moved here specifically because of KISD and to our house because of bus transportation, I did not know that this was even up for discussion. I have two children, just turned 5 and just turned 8. They will each walk .9 miles to school. On an unsafe route.
I am aware that the other ISDs have a two mile radius. I did not move there. I moved here. Apparently there was no full disclosure regarding this change. Shame, shame, shame…
I am creating a Facebook page where we can come together as a community to get back what was taken, or to come up with an agreeable solution. I am not opposed to making kids walk, when mine are older then you can bet they will be riding bikes or walking. But no child, regardless of age, should be walking on a route that is unsafe. Safety First!
PHardilekAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:07 AM
Please let me know about your Facebook page so that I can go there.
ProudMamaAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 11:07 AM
I will have the page ready by tonight. I am really counting on word of mouth to gain popularity and momentum behind our efforts. I think that it will be important to approach this as a collaborative effort. The parents and KISD have the same goals. We need the kids to be in school, and we need them to be safe.
Although our taxes are very high, I would be willing to pay a separate fee for bus service. See attachment, used by Fort Bend.
http://www.fortbendisd.com/docs/transportation/school-bus-rider-registration-form.pdfWhat disturbs me most is that in making this decision with virtually no community input, and without fully disclosing their plans, KISD overlooked real concerns and other solutions. I think that we can change this. I am convinced that we can change this.
ProudMamaAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 11:10 AM
I am not suggesting that we go with FBISD as a model, but I think that this is a perfect example of the type of discussion that should have taken place before a magic wand waved and made the buses disappear. I think that we should explore all solutions.
Darcy KahrhoffAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:31 AM
I would also like to know the name of the Facebook page, please.
ProudMamaAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:20 PM
Please like, comment and share the following page:
http://www.facebook.com/KatyISDConcernedParents
Trying to get a real voice…
Ross RaymondAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:23 AM
There is no doubt this is an emotional issue and also a dollar savings issue. The two great motivators are our kids and our money. The school district has great sway over both.
For years I have watched buses pull out nearly empty and the car lanes chocked full of cars with moms and dads parking blocks away from some schools waiting to pick up their children.
On the surface it would seem cutting the buses would be appropriate.
I have also watched buses pull out of the school parking lot and stop across the street and let out their first rider. Oddly in this situation it seemed right as with so much mom and dad traffic the street was way too busy for an elementary student to cross safely.
I have seen buses pull out of parking lots packed with students to the point I am unsure of the safety issues involved. At one point in my life I drove school buses to earn money while in college and I know there is a limit to what any one driver can safely take on.
The truth is our overall financial situation is not all that impacted by the buses, nor will we be financially saved by the lack of them on the streets. We leak money is other areas and in some cases we have passed up golden opportunities to save money in our capital budget which takes a fair percentage of our total tax dollar. However at the end of the day, if the voters are satisfied there is no other way and they want the buses no matter what, we can tell the BOT to increase our tax rate, a move I certainly hope they will not take. A user fee is another possibility just as we have with sports and fine arts programs, let the users pay for some of the services provided. The taxpayers living close will not like paying both a user fee and the full school tax.
One commentator expressed dismay at not knowing about the changes. Another said it was their own fault as they could have come to a BOT meeting, others say what good would showing up do as the recommendation was already working its way to the current conclusion and to come would just be for window dressing. They are probably all correct.
This is a prime example of the need for a more involved community and an ESC making a much stronger case of why certain things need to be done and timely communicating it to all stakeholders. I am not sure when this idea first was given life, but I certain it was early enough for the district to send out a district wide communication on the subject and accept input.
As for the BOT members, it is my understanding they did not believe they were voting on the distance markers being set by “line of sight” and all the BOT members I know would not vote for anything they felt would put our kids at risk. I also don’t think Mr. Frailey would recommend something he felt would put our kids’ safety into question.
The proposal needs to be re-tooled or tossed for this year and neither of those will be easy to accomplish. In the meantime, I suggest parents begin thinking of personal solutions to the problem and make sure their students get to school on time and of course safely.
There is NO a rule we can enforce which will make everyone happy. The distance marker must be set differently at each school as the walking conditions are not the same from one campus to the next. If new distance results are disclosed there will be another out crying, but hopefully the most serious issue then will be “fairness” and not safety.
RepublicanAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 11:24 AM
I don’t have school-aged children but I must comment on the school bus situation. Yesterday, I watched a young girl with a backpack on a bicycle waiting for the light to change to cross Mason Road. With a green light, she made her way across the dangerous intersection and in the interest of safety, rode her bike on grass, since there was no sidewalk. Not only are students at risk from traffic and all the crazy preoccupied drivers, but vulnerable for other reasons. Why wait until a tragedy happens. Cut back somewhere else, like after school programs. This plan is not teaching kids about priorities. The Katy Area is not a quiet country town but is becoming more like a big city with all the problems.
katyisdinsiderAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 11:41 AM
There has to be a reasonable alternative. IT is UNREASONABLE to expect that elementary students (Mine are in Kindergarten and Second Grade) will walk 3/4 of a mile to school across a dangerous intersection. My spouse and I both work and must leave early in the morning. Before and after school care is cost prohibitive for us. We rely on neighbors who generously offer to watch our children in the morning until they get on the bus. We would now be forced to either pay more than $800 per month for before/after school care, or ask our neighbors to drive our children to school every day.
Would it not be possible to provide supervision in the lunch-room or gymnasium before school for a reasonable fee?
This is insanity. This is a VERY serious issue affecting my children’s safety. It is unconscionable that this policy was enacted. We moved to Katy because of the schools, and because we considered it to be safe. I do not feel that the district has the safety of children in mind with these bus route changes.
Momof2AUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:42 PM
Katyisdinsider – there are schools in the district that already have before and after school care…or did a few years ago – I’m not sure if it is still around. I would find out how they went about getting the YMCA to participate and how it was approved.
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 11:55 AM
My expectations are that there will be a reasonable solution to this problem…
mhatresAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 12:55 PM
The Texas education code says this
(c) Each district or county operating a regular
transportation system is entitled to an allotment based on the
daily cost per regular eligible student of operating and
maintaining the regular transportation system and the linear
density of that system. In determining the cost, the commissioner
shall give consideration to factors affecting the actual cost of
providing these transportation services in each district or county.
The average actual cost is to be computed by the commissioner and
included for consideration by the legislature in the General
Appropriations Act. The allotment per mile of approved route may
not exceed the amount set by appropriation.
(d) A district or county may apply for and on approval of the
commissioner receive an additional amount of up to 10 percent of its
regular transportation allotment to be used for the transportation
of children living within two miles of the school they attend who
would be subject to hazardous traffic conditions if they walked to
school. Each board of trustees shall provide to the commissioner
the definition of hazardous conditions applicable to that district
and shall identify the specific hazardous areas for which the
allocation is requested. A hazardous condition exists where no
walkway is provided and children must walk along or cross a freeway
or expressway, an underpass, an overpass or a bridge, an
uncontrolled major traffic artery, an industrial or commercial
area, or another comparable condition.
Hazardous condition seems to be a very vague definition. In one sentence it says the BOT can provide the definition then it identifies the hazardous conditions. So each district can define what a hazardous condition is? My kids will have to cross a bridge, so obviously KISD does not consider it a hazardous condition.
I wrote email to multiple people, but no replies and still dont know whom to talk to and who is responsible to make changes to the decision. Great planning there KISD.
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:22 PM
I doesn’t matter how many emails you send. They just answer you back with all these excuses and no answers to the problems at hand. What do they care? Most of them don’t have a dog in the fight.
Mary McGarrAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 2:07 PM
Ever looked at a high school bus? They are pretty much empty. A high school kid would rather walk than be seen on a school bus. Most of them have cars or friends with cars. So why didn’t they cut high school service within two miles instead of the routes for the elementary schools? At least the school opening times would coincide better with the schedules of working parents.
The truth is, they didn’t need to do this. It was simply the superintendent’s choice. Better five million dollars be spent hiring school bus drivers than putting Astroturf on practice fields that no one wanted and which is too hot in Houston to practice on until October! Five million dollars would have paid for five years of 50 full time bus drivers’ salaries.
They aren’t going to want to hear this, but I believe that all coaches are certified to drive a bus. They could help pick up the slack on morning routes (and I think that some of them already do this work.)
Let’s face it. We have a superintendent who thinks only of his own desires and income. His actions indicate that he does not care about school children. When are all of you going to realize that?
Here’s the item that appears at the very end of the Regular Board meeting in the May minutes and when they hoped no one was paying attention: “Change in Transportation Services: Scooter McMeans, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services; Alan Anders, Director of Transportation, and Jim Porter, South Transportation presented. It was recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the change in transportation services as discussed for the 2012-2013 school year. Moved by Neal Howard seconded by Robert Shaw. Motion passed by a 6 to 0 vote. (Those attending the meeting were Joe Adams, Henry Dibrell, Rebecca Fox, Neal Howard, Robert Shaw, and Bill Proctor. Terry Huckaby was absent.)”
No record of the “discussion” is made.
There is no mention of the “Change in Bus Services” at the May Work Study meeting held the previous Monday as the matter was not on the agenda–or at least on the agenda for that meeting that is posted on line. It is curious that while the “discussion item” page is listed as “Page 3,” there is no “Page 2.”
That’s why no one could protest! What happened to the practice of at least allowing the board to discuss matters BEFORE they have to vote on them at a Regular Meeting?
Common sense and logic seem to escape most board members the minute they get elected. They should have all voted “NO” just because it wasn’t on the Work Study agenda. Board members should vote AGAINST every single thing with which they do not agree or with which they have a philosophical disagreement or which is not given discussion time on the Work Study agenda. That would put an end to the superintendent’s administrative efforts based on whim.
ProudMamaAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 2:39 PM
Please see
http://www.facebook.com/KatyISDConcernedParents
Please like, comment, and share this page. Let’s see if we can get someone to listen.
forrealAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 7:18 AM
ProudMama,
Please see Wed morning post about media release. Please add to the Facebook page. I know one group that will listen!
katyisdinsiderAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 3:15 PM
Principals of KatyISD –
You have the power to offer campus-based accommodations for affected students. Use some of your discretionary funds to pay teachers to come in early for volunteer duty assignments. Do fundraising if needed. Set an example for other campuses to follow.
No amount of money saved can possibly be worth the possibility that even one student could be injured, abducted, or God forbid run over by a car.
Open the doors of your campus early enough for working parents to safely drop off their young children. Find a way.
cmhightoAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 4:59 PM
Teachers already work before and after school trying to plan quality lessons for our children, go to meetings/trainings, conference with parents, grade, etc. They are not paid for any of this time. I don’t think we need to put this on our teachers shoulder’s. They have families of their own and many are dealing with the same problems of trying to get their children to and from school because their children’s bus routes have been cut too.
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 5:14 PM
At my daughter’s school they have requested that a few teachers volunteer one morning every couple of weeks or so to monitor kids having to cross a busy street by their school.
katyisdinsiderAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 6:09 PM
cmhighto-
You don’t have to lecture me about the responsibilities of teachers. I am one. What I am suggesting is that teachers or paraprofessionals or SOMEONE could be utilized on a VOLUNTEER basis to supervise the children of parents that are affected by these cutbacks – much in the same way that teachers are paid extra to supervise detention, etc. This is a simple and reasonable solution.
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:44 PM
Katyinsider:
As a teacher you are 100% welcome to volunteer, and bless you if you do. I don’t know what level you teach, but KISD’s administrators, including many at various campuses, are famous for “requesting volunteers” for each and every duty imaginable before, during and after school – including weekends. This issue CLEARLY has nothing to do with teachers, and I’m guessing most (while concerned for student safety) would want nothing to do with such “volunteer” duties.
katyisdinsiderAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 9:09 PM
Perhaps I was unclear: Compensate those who volunteer. Every campus has discretionary funds. Don’t make it a forced/required duty – solicit volunteers who want to work extra paid hours.
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:33 PM
Katyinsider:
Compensation? OVERTIME! How DARE you suggest something so logical and appropriate! You should know better to expect something like “pay”! As a teacher, you know it’s FAR cheaper to intimidate/threaten/guilt faculty and staff into “volunteering” to “help out”.
I’ll all for KISD using funds to compensate teachers for early-morning/after school jobs – but we both know there’s a better chance of Big Al grabbing the wheel and driving a bus route each morning and afternoon than any extra compensation for teachers.
cmhightoAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 8:03 AM
I’m not sure where you teach, but I don’t know any teacher who gets paid for supervising detention. It is considered a duty.
katyisdinsiderAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 8:46 AM
Not at our campus.
mhatresAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 4:08 PM
Got following response
Katy ISD could no longer sustain the level of transportation services as it has in the past due to the shortage of bus drivers. We will continue to explore our options in attracting quality applicants. Along with this, we will continue to evaluate areas of concern. Please called the District phone number at 281-396-6008 and your concern will be documented.
Alan Anders
Transportation Director
Katy ISD
tired of excusesAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 4:19 PM
I got the same reply. It must be automated. Real concerned aren’t they??
Just Wondering2AUGUST 15, 2012 AT 3:12 PM
These guys should be picking stocks. Months early they knew they would not be able to staff 50 bus routes and took action.
Have we finally grown to the point where we can’t find anyone to do a job because we have squeezed them all out of the air already?
Maybe we can let some of the kids drive the buses they already know the route!
worriedmomAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 6:46 PM
Lots of things here that people may or may not be aware of….someone is going to an awful lot of trouble to NOT address people’s concerns right now. Heads are in the sand and they are not resurfacing. The “hotline’ is little more than a phone answering service; they cannot answer any questions that deviate from their script and no one of any “importance’ is answering their phone or replying to email other than in an automated way. Those of us with children who have to cross the Grand Parkway were assured last spring by KISD personnel that it met the definition of a hazardous intersection and that our children would still have transportation. The district website-that used to have a link to a closest bus stop even if your child was being denied transportation-has been altered to disable the link. I have personally been told that my child will “not be permitted on the bus”. Wording on the website has been changed. A trustee is passing the buck and advising parents to call school principals (who are all probably beside themselves trying to figure out what to do with the onslaught of kids who will be dumped on them early). Teachers-who are already overburdened and still stinging from the indignity of last years’ “layoffs” will be guilted into “volunteering” to supervise kids outside of their contract hours without pay. But most importantly and above all, our kids are being forced into unsafe and downright dangerous situations. There was ZERO, I mean ZERO public discussion or input about this decision. No studies were enacted to verify the safety of any of these routes. Parents are right to be furious. And as for “as the crow flies”….I think the crow is flying all the way to the bank with my tax dollars at the expense of my child’s safety. Classrooms don’t all need Smartboards that cost nearly $4,000 each. Replace the fancy gadgets with bus drivers, crossing guards, security, and a SAFE way to school for our children. This isn’t the 1960s any more and Katy is no longer a sleepy little town..are you awake yet? I sure am.
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 7:17 PM
Mary, I like the thought of shifting busing burden to older kids who have other options to get to and from school… The younger kids really should have a busing option and that’s a creative way to solve a tough problem…
Katyisdinsider, that’s another good idea to help people who have to drop their kids off early… After the hazardous issue is resolved some may choose to still do the early drop off and a small fee might be appropriate to cover the additional cost (just so it doesn’t become a babysitting service)…
Worriedmom, I think you’re right about not addressing the issue and hoping it will go away… It won’t go away and board members shouldn’t have to “freelance” for an answer when they are needlessly put on the spot because of the inaction on the admins part…
Too many people I have spoken who recall something about computer software and walking paths, providing service to those who have to cross 99 or some other hazardous obstacle, so I’m pretty sure most thought that care was taken to ensure this very thing didn’t happen… Well, that appears not to be the case and it’s wrong headed for the admin to think this will just go away if it is ignored… If they are doing something then tell the public… If not then it’s going to be a rough ride so they better hold on…
In the end, even if service is reworked for the hazardous/elementary kids, some students will still be inconvienienced… It’s difficult to make changes like this but not reviewing every route for safety is just wrong from the beginning and it should have been the top priority for those reworking the routes…
My expectations are still high that something will be worked out but, I have to admit they aren’t as high as they once were…
HaveANiceDayAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:12 PM
I wondered how long it would take for Katy ISD to bring down your on going hope and belief in them. Sadly, they have let down many for a long time. I wished I could have jumped in your always upbeat and believing nature of Katy ISD but sadly actions similar to these have been SOP for far too many years. I am sure you will jump to the defense and tell me how they will fix it just give them time or they know better than we do guess that is part of what I love about you but I am sad to say you are in for a big let down. I hoped you would be correct in your belief in the two new guys but sadly nope. I have turned a different corner here in my own little world not too much longer now and I can put Katy ISD and all the hurt and outrage in my rear view mirror. I am keeping my eyes to the future and all the adversity Katy ISD have put our family through will only make us stronger in the end.
I would like to share, however, Mr. Frailey was not always a tow the party line kind of guy. I truly believe he came to our district with the very best of intentions for all the kiddos. I saw something very kind in him in the beginning. An action towards one little girl that almost brought me to tears but he got lost.
Got to keep our chins up fellow parents and as always,
HaveANiceDay
Just Wondering2AUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:29 PM
So who do you like for school board in the May 2013 elections? Two seats in play provided Joe and Rebecca think they don’t own their positions for life.
westsidebillAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 8:50 PM
JW2:
LOL! I foresee a Snyder comeback and a Fox reboot – because she DOES believe that BOT position has been endowed to her!
babytigerAUGUST 14, 2012 AT 10:32 PM
Don’t confuse my comments with any loss in faith in Bryan and Charles… I told you guys I wasn’t an admin guy… Let’s see how this plays out…
forrealAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 6:54 AM
For all interested please pass the word!
A press release to the media was sent inviting the Katy ISD School Board members to attend a town hall meeting this Thursday at 7:00 pm. The location is
23610 Seven Meadows Parkway. The meeting will be held at the Seven Meadows Central Park Clubhouse starting at 7:00 pm this Thursday August 16th.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 15, 2012 AT 8:08 AM
Good luck with getting the BOT to show up to your meeting. We tried that approach before both for the school bond elections and the teacher firings, neither got us anywhere.
With the bond election they finally got the message and feared the bonds would lose so they held a special meeting and attempted to answer a few questions. It was showboating at its best and nothing was resolved.
All that aside, a “for real” problem you have is when you get more than three BOT members together on anything relating to school business, it is considered by most to be a meeting of the BOT and that can’t be done without advance public notice per state law, etc.,etc.,etc…..
I suggest you change your tac and invite the president and vice president of the BOT to attend and maybe drag along one other member, Frailey can attend as well. Then you have the people with power in the room. Give each of them a very personal and public invitation and see who will show up. The president and vice president both hold slots which are up for re-election this next spring (May 2013).
AstrosFanAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 9:35 AM
Does the BOT have the power to call itself into an emergency meeting? For the sole purpose of forcing the administration to deal with this?
If the two new board members want to show they are serious about doing what is necessary for the good of the district, this would be a great chance to show it.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 15, 2012 AT 11:18 AM
If your question is, “Can the BOT meet more frequently than the stated monthly meetings?” yes, they can.
Look at it from their standpoint. They met, heard what Big A wanted them to hear, voted, and then went on to the next item. In theory this should have worked as Mr. Frailey should have gotten all the public input prior to the action and explained to people what the routes were going to be before the final vote was called.
Of course this is not how things are done.
Then there are the huge out of touch masses who feel everything here is peachy keen and there is no need to pay attention to what is happening at the central office building (ESC).
Wake up, pay attention, and this next May try voting for a change. A 3-5% turnout is what calls the shots out here.
My message for most (95%-97%) of our fellow Katy residents, “Don’t vote, don’t complain so much!!”
westsidebillAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 12:17 PM
I second that motion JW2.
Imagine that, a longtime voter and “complainer, whiner, bitcher, etc.” calling out other complainers (all as babytiger roars derisively with laughter at the irony!)…..
But you are 100% correct: Most KISD voters/constituents can’t be bothered with such “details” because this is KISD and “everything is already perfect” – and the prevailing attitude because “I pay really high taxes I should get whatever I want whenever I want it = the rest of the district be damned!” and last-second concerns about issues that they SHOULD have paid attention to earlier in the process is getting old. Either get in the game or get out – and learn to live with the results either way (which is equally frustrating and difficult to do at times, as I can attest), even if that means being inconvenienced.
AstrosFanAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 1:49 PM
Well, my point was more to, if the board (or any of it’s members individually) want to show any independence, they could call for a special meeting to be held ASAP in which they could bring the administration up front and question what is being done to fix these issues.
And if a certain couple of recently elected board members really wanted to prove that they are as indpendent as they (and their supporters) say they are, this would be a great time to do so.
Regarding elections, it’s hard to translate anger over buses in August to votes in May, but that’s beside the point. The immediate issue is, does the board want to see the administration correct some of these issues?
Just Wondering2AUGUST 15, 2012 AT 3:04 PM
I believe board president Fox (term expires this May coming) can call a meeting if she is so motivated.
She can post an agenda and limit the discussion to a single topic, such as busing. Then everyone can come and add their two cents to the discussion. Of course she can limit the public input.
If the BOT is ever motivated to do so it can take the pulse of the district directly, so far that is untested water.
Two BOT members, Proctor and Huckaby, have asked for more action frequently, but they can’t get items placed onm the agenda for discussion.
The president holds the power, but seems to defers to the superintendent in all matters.
westsidebillAUGUST 15, 2012 AT 9:13 PM
The president holds the “title” that normally indicates power – but the BOT started a tradition under Merrell and continued it under Frailey in which it has abdicated all its power to the Superintendent – BUT, the BOT members still get to keep the titles! Surprisingly, neither Merrell nor Frailey had any arguments about the BOT members keeping the titles.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 16, 2012 AT 7:50 AM
I recall stories about how Dr. M (please name a big building after me and put it near the Katy Freeway) called into his office BOT members prior to meetings so as to give them an update about what they needed to do the following week.
I understand it was a series of special meetings, one on one, so that the message could be drummed into BOT member’s minds.
“In the beginning when the district was dark and cold, and without substance…
“”HE” called, they came, “HE” called for a vote, they voted, and “HE” felt it worked pretty darned good.” Then “HE” rested.
Now for our second reading………….
worriedmomAUGUST 16, 2012 AT 8:28 AM
Parents should log in and check their addresses this morning….some routes have been reinstated. The Grand Parkway crossing has now been deemed “hazardous” and a bus has been provided for these kids. While I applaud KISD for doing the right thing in this area, I am hoping and praying that ALL kids will have a safe way to school on August 27th!!
Keep fighting parents…it seems that someone is paying attention after all.
Harry PotterAUGUST 16, 2012 AT 10:39 AM
I think I’m in the minority here – which is usually the case with my opinions on the instant news katy, aka anti-KISD message boards. I think the district dropped the ball with the young kids. I’d say we need to bus the younger elementary ages (maybe Pre-K through 2nd grade). But everyone else can walk. Life will go on.
A lot is being made over crossing 99. Unless you plan on having your kid actually cross the actual 4 lanes of freeway traffic, they’ll have controlled crosswalks at every underpass. This is probably the safest of crossing areas in our district. Busy? Yes. But every intersection is regulated by lights and crosswalks. I’d be more concerned about the intersections that are not regulated by a crosswalk. Or concerned about the narrow 2 lane roads with ditches on either side and no sidewalks.
Can your kid walk a mile or two through your neighborhood? Absolutely. Nice paved residential street – no problems. The definition of ‘hazardous conditions’ is relative. Those of us living in the bubble we call Katy, Texas think a hazardous condition is anytime the sun shines directly on a child for longer than 14 minutes straight. Any longer and we expect someone to do something about it.
Educate your kids. Teach them to walk in groups. Cross intersections in groups. Don’t assume a driver sees you. My kids are school aged. There will be times we’ll get them to school in the mornings, other times they’ll walk. They’ll walk home every day. My message to my kids, don’t walk in front of a car until you see the whites of the drivers eyes. You see them, they see you. That keeps them safe. Everything else is character building. Now they’ll be able to tell their kids stories just like others on this board have. I can hear it now: “Back when I was in school, we had to walk to school. We had to cross under a freeway kid. But you really had to watch and cross only at a red light. And the sidewalk? Man, that sidewalk was one of those cheap kinds. It was only three feet wide.”
Lighten up folks. Ideally, the district modifies it for young kids. If not, step away from your computer and get your butt on the school board and do something about it. Once you’ve walked a mile (no pun intended) in their shoe’s, you’ll probably see there are things the average joe doesn’t know about that dictate these changes in policies.
Just Wondering2AUGUST 16, 2012 AT 1:14 PM
HP welcome back. Good comments and on point. Good for you. Now who do you like in May of 13 for the BOT elections? Or better yet, this November?
Harry PotterAUGUST 16, 2012 AT 5:26 PM
JW2 – I never left, I just don’t hop into every fire. Only the fun ones! I’ve been saying for years that WSB, Mary and Reverend Scott should be on the school board. They clearly have all the answers….
westsidebillAUGUST 16, 2012 AT 9:42 PM
HP:
And here I was ready to compliment you!
FYI: Mary already served her time on the board; I don’t know which Rev. Scott you’re referring to – is it this one?
http://www.georgescottreports.com Actually, I noticed he’s published some new articles – but you’d probably won’t read them because they’re full of actual data and facts NOT in favor of everything you’ve believed from KISD and TEA for years.As for me, my career hasn’t yet – and now won’t – allow me to do the high-quality job that I would demand of myself to not only campaign to win (judging by the apathy of 95-97% of the district’s constituents in most BOT and bond elections, no outsider to the current KISD vendors/administration is going to win) but especially work in public and behind the scenes to follow through on my campaign promises as a BOT member. So unless those situations change, I’ll continue to do whatever I can with those that DO take on the challenge of running. So you can continue to come here and dismiss everything here as “anti-KISD messageboards” and continue to worship at the altar of Big Al and the administration, or just save yourself the “trauma” altogether and continue to live in Hogwarts Utopia.
Ross RaymondAUGUST 17, 2012 AT 9:02 AM
You might be right.
katy75AUGUST 18, 2012 AT 4:59 PM
Assuming we all want every student to have the opportunity to ride a bus….how many drivers do we actually need? How much pay increase to drivers could we have provided with 1.7 million? (scoreboard + sidewalks)
omg-reallyAUGUST 23, 2012 AT 6:51 AM
I haven’t even read all of these posts, most of the one’s I have read make me sick to my stomach, what I hear is ” I want to have children, but when they get school age, I want other people(school district) to be responsible for them I want them to babysit them on the bus, keep them 8 hrs teach them who knows what, babysit them again on the bus, I will feed them, put them to bed to start again the next day. Really? Get a life be responsible for the children you were given, quit trying to put the responsibility on others(school district) in this case.
tired of excusesAUGUST 23, 2012 AT 2:09 PM
Omg-really, maybe you should have read all the posts. The whole point of this discussion was the safety of the kids in their walking to and from school. It had nothing to do with people wanting the district to babysit their kids. Some people can’t drive their kids to school or pick them up because they have jobs that won’t allow it. There isn’t anything wrong with kids walking. Parents just want to know that their kid is going to be safe when they do and some of them have to cross really busy and dangerous roads. If you don’t have anything positive for input, maybe you should get a life and don’t comment on posts if you haven’t read