District Issues Statement about Bus Stop Decision

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 community 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 , 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