School sending daughter to another school in district

[momoftwoinmi]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

Not sure if anyone else has run into this problem or not. We live in a district that has 3 elementary schools. The school that we are on the bus route for has run into a problem with having too many kids on their bus route. So, they have taken children that have no siblings in school yet and are bussing them to other schools in the district. Our daughter who is in first grade, will have to bus to the school that she is on the route for, then she will have to get on another bus to go to the other elementary school. I have asked and they will not come to our neighborhood. I'm not sure what to do from here, or if there is anything that i can do. If we drive her every day, that is an extra 20 miles for us.

 

[stealth2]

Why is this a problem?

 

[tigger22472]

The district has obviously changed their boundaries which is legal. You first say that they only did this for children that do not have siblings but then you say that the bus will not come into your neighborhood, I'm confused.

The only way around it would be to show that you were discrimated based on sex or race which doesn't seem to be the case here at all.

Many school districts bus their children and it's not illegal. I lived 2 miles from an elementary school when my son was in 1st grade. Instead he was bussed to a school in which he had to ride a bus for almost an hour. It sucks but it happens.

 

[momoftwoinmi]

clarrification on my first post

In reply to tigger22472's post, the kids of families with multiple school age children in our neighborhood do not have to shuttle bus to the other school. Only kids that are the only child in school in a family. They apparently have changed the boundaries "for kids that are the only child in school" but will not send a bus to pick our children up for the other school. Our daughter will have to ride the bus to the school that she should have been going to. She will then switch buses to go to this other school. If there are more than one child from a family, they do not have to shuttle bus to the other school. They will be attending the school that our daughter was originally supposed to attend. The problem that i have with this is that our daughter is going to be subjected to a very long bus ride both ways. She is 6 years old. She doesn't need to ride the bus for hours. If we take her back and forth, we have 20 extra miles to drive everyday at $3+ a gallon for gas. This school is in the middle of no where, the other way from any of us going to work. Apparently, this isn't a problem for everyone, but it makes it a real inconvenience for some of us. My problem is, if they are going to change the boundary, I think that they should offer a bus to pick our 1-4 grade children up.. not one that they have to change busses and ride for hours. Apparently our school needs more classes for the first graders this year. All of the first grade classes at all our districts schools are full.

 

[momoftwoinmi]

clarrification on school issue

Another problem is that my daughter would be late to school most days if she rides the buses. My sister bussed her son to another school fora special education program and he was late for school most days because of the switch.

 

[Silverplum]

Another problem is that my daughter would be late to school most days if she rides the buses. My sister bussed her son to another school fora special education program and he was late for school most days because of the switch.

I'm sure the school district can figure it out.

I'm also pretty sure that you are refusing to "get it" on several issues here:

1. You're lucky to get a bus at all. The Constitution does not provide for free and convenient transportation to school.

2. The reason children with siblings already in school are allowed to go to that school is to keep siblings together. Duh.

3. If there's too many kids in classes or on buses, you should be glad the district is doing something about it. Overcrowded classrooms lead to lesser educational opportunities and overcrowded buses are unsafe. Are you actually complaining about this??

 

[sisymay]

Write to the school board and state your situation. Then ask for their written policy that supports this decision. Also ask for a copy of the meeting minutes in which they decided to do this. (public record)
If they don't have this, then they are not suppose to be doing this. Then you can take action.