District Issues Statement about Bus Stop Decision
The Saucon Valley School District has issued the following statement about its decision not to move a bus stop from Finady Avenue--a location that some parents have objected to.
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Editor's Note: The following letter was emailed to news media by Saucon Valley School District superintendent Sandra Fellin on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.
Over the last several weeks and months, members of the Saucon Valley School District community have expressed their concern regarding the district’s decision to move a school district bus stop from its previous location at Moravia and Benner streets to its current location at the corner of Sioux and Finady streets.
The district’s decision to move the stop from its previous location was based on the administration's summer review of the location and ongoing concerns we have about the danger presented with keeping a stop on such hilly terrain for our vehicles. Frankly, based on the size of the road, the condition of the roads in bad weather, and the immediate proximity of parked cars further reducing sight lines, the administration correctly determined the old stop was no longer feasible.
In changing the location, the administration has immediately reduced the potential hazards the old stop presented for our students, the district’s buses, and other motorists and pedestrians.
The district’s decision to change the location of the stop was the result of due consideration of all of the necessary factors that are required when establishing a new school bus stop. Moreover, the administration has contacted local law enforcement about concerns regarding violence near the new stop out of concern expressed by parents.
As many of you may know, the district had originally decided to move the stop to Sioux and Clewell streets, approximately 600 feet from the original stop and two times further from the person of concern. In changing the location to Sioux and Finady streets, the district responded to additional concerns from parents regarding the location of the stop in relationship to the home of an individual named on the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law website. The current stop is not in sight line of this individual’s home and parents have two possible routes to get to the stop that do not pass the offender's home.
With regard to use of a van, for a number of reasons this option is unfeasible. Use of vans on Moravia Street presents even greater challenges in bad weather. Moreover, the district simply does not have the necessary fleet of vehicles to duplicate runs to the same stop.
Over the last several weeks a number of board members have become involved in the review of this stop. Based on the information shared by all parties, the board will not be taking any action to change the stop for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. We expect the administration to review the stop next summer, as it does for all stops in the district.
We will continue to be here for those members of the community who have questions about these and other issues.
The Board of Directors, Lachlan P. Peeke, President
Saucon Valley School District
GrowUpSaucon
11:16 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
I disagree with the school boards choice. We supplied facts . There are BUSES for OTHER children on our street who are providied with SCHOOL BUS transportation. The new stop is NOT safer-period. We showed the school board the photos taken from our home security system that verify the lies told by these board members. The faces of the board members turned BRIGHT RED when they saw the picture of the buses and tractor trailors venturing on this same street /hill/area they deem unsafe.
GrowUpSaucon
11:20 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
{continued} The school board members dismiss eveything you say. After we expressed the fact that only one child road home on the bus (one specific day) and the bus was almost 12-15 minutes early-the child was afraid to walk from this stop. Heparents were getting ready to walk down to get her BUT the child so frightened asked the bus driver PLEASE could you take me up the street. The NICE bus driver dropped her off at the bottom of the offenders stairs and infront of his door.
GrowUpSaucon
11:26 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
{continued} Also, another child forgot her glasses and the asst. principal told her she could look in the building. This child was LATE for class . Her gym teacher asked her why she was late. She told him and also informed him she still did not find her glasses. Well, Mr. Gym teacher, who probably has friends on the board.. stuck him foot in her face while she was doing warm-ups (twice) and asked her if she could see his foot in her face without his glasses on. Yet, the school board is saying the parents ARE NOT being responsible because WE do not want to walk or stand near a registered offender. If you don't have a van...my goodness...bring the bus you are using now-this will cost SV nothing . As we stated, we all saw the pictures of the vans, tractor trailors, UPS trucks, (total of 30!different big vehiles) and EVEN a SCHOOL BUS. SV ...your lies are starting to catch up with you and THAT is why you claim NOW that you will absolutely NOT negotiate this any longer.
GrowUpSaucon
8:59 am on Friday, October 14, 2011
Very quick clarification. Just so all gym teachers in SV do not get a bad rap because the ones in the elementary school rock. The gym teacher to put his foot in the little girls face was Mr.Stever from the middle school. Shame on you.
GrowUpSaucon
11:28 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
We will see you at the meeting on Oct.25th. Anyone who wants to support us PLEASE show up also. Thank you.
GrowUpSaucon
11:40 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Please let me add one more thing. The size of the roads. My father is a supervisor or a reputable local construction company. The lagal width of ALL roads is a minimum of 10 feet. This NEW location has a width of 24 feet. The OLD location has a width of 30 feet. Now, even with cars on the one side of the street {because the other side has signs posted-NO PARKING the OLD bus stop is still bigger than the new one. So NARROW -doesn't work either.
GrowUpSaucon
11:45 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
{continued} Sorry about the spelling-meant legal. The school board claims to do the very best at trying to figure this out for us. I am not so sure unless you consider the fact that after you present them with all these facts , they look at you in a stone cold way and tell you meeting is adjorned. I then asked them aren't you going to comment or answer any of my concerns and Sandra and Peeke both looked at us and said NO. To end this wonderful evening-the board members then laughed at us and walked out the door saying "Have a good evening!" Responsible?? Mature??? Compromising? More like defiant and rude.
GrowUpSaucon
1:03 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
{continued} Oh and did I mention...I too have been contacting the police- and actually it has been several times about this mess. I spoke to Cheif Leiser just the other day. It is Saucon Valley's job to do "due dillegence" in this matter-not the police because legal you can put children in front of an offender in the state of PA -BUT MORALLY.... well, Saucon speaks for itself...... I have not seen or heard of anyone watching daily this area when the children are both being picked up & dropped off to provide them with safety.
GrowUpSaucon
1:49 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
{continued}We do pass the offenders home to get to this new bus stop. Bottom line-SV has other options . They are ignoring the facts and demanding this sad excuse for a bus stop-only god knows why. I pray {as do my friends & neighbors} that NOTHING ever happens to our children because SV put them in danger.
GrowUpSaucon
9:51 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
And finally, I have , along with many other people completelt lost respect for all of these people. I have lost respect for them as board members and as men and women.
Bob Linney
1:29 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
Dear GrowUpSaucon,
I read your comments twice and I must say that is some amazing articulation.
GrowUpSaucon
11:02 am on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thank you Bob.
GrowUpSaucon
9:07 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 8TH ! VOTE THEM OUT! THEY COULD SCR*W YOU TOO!