Submitted By The Eastern Property Owners Association

The Board of the Eastern Property Owners' Association (EPOA) recently discussed the proposed changes to the Garden City School District's transportation policy which was reported in this newspaper on April 10, 2009 (Changes Needed in District's Transportation Policy). At issue is the District's compliance with New York State law which requires that mileage be the determining factor for a student's eligibility for transportation, with limited exception. State law does allow a Child Safety Zone be established for areas designated as posing a safety risk to children without transportation. This designation would allow a school district to over-ride any state requirements and implement revised transportation guidelines.

By way of background, State law requires that school districts provide transportation for students in grades kindergarten through 8 who live 2 miles or more from their schools and students in grades 9-12 who live 3 miles or more from their schools. State law, however, does allow communities to identify a lower threshold for transportation. The District has in fact done this and has defined lower thresholds, including 1/2 mile for grades k-5; 3/4 mile grades 6-8; 1 1/2 miles for grades 9-12. The District's policy went further and also allowed consideration for high traffic intersections and this resulted in the current busing of certain students in k-5 who live less than 1/2 mile from their respective schools. It is this provision that creates the District's issue of possible noncompliance with State regulations.

A representative from the Board of the EPOA served on a transportation study group which met to review the issue and propose recommendations. Dr. Feirson, after consulting with the study group, reported his recommendations to the School Board and also in the aforementioned article in this newspaper.

After careful review of the study group's findings and other facts regarding this issue, the EPOA made several recommendations as follows:

a. The EPOA supports continuation of bus service as presently offered, in particular with students in k-5. In the opinion of this Board, the safety of our children should be the primary factor in the District's policy decisions. The dangerous intersections that created the need for this transportation still exist and the roads are no safer than they were when the policy was implemented.

b. The EPOA notes that State guidelines have not been updated in 17 years and in many ways do not reflect the new realities that Garden City and most other districts on Long Island currently face in their traffic and transportation concerns. Traffic regulations are more often ignored rather than followed. We suggested the School Board petition Senator Kemp Hannon and request his involvement to have the State law updated in a manner that provides local school districts with the authority to establish policies they consider vital in their communities so as to ensure the safe transportation of its school-aged residents.

c. The EPOA supports the recommendation of the study group to designate

certain sections within the District as Child Safety Zones, which may be done either by a School Board investigation or through a petition of a parent signed by 25 qualified voters or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election.

Notwithstanding the EPOA's suggestions, the School Board is proceeding with plans to amend the District's transportation policy which will result in the revision of bus routes to end the busing of students who live less than 1/2 mile from Hemlock, Homestead and Stewart Schools. There will be some limited exceptions where a Child Safety Zone will be established. Unfortunately, this will not apply to a significant portion of sections in the East. The School Board has not yet notified families who will be affected by these changes. The EPOA advises residents to get informed by visiting the Board of Education website at www.gardencity.k12.ny.us/board_of_education and to share your views or concerns with the School Board.