Parents concerned with length of bus runs

BY STACI WILSON

Several Blue Ridge parents expressed concerns with the length of their children’s bus rides at the Monday, Sept. 8 board meeting.

The rides, according to parents, are well over an hour in length to school each morning.

One mother said, “My son goes seven miles and it’s a 1-1/2 hour commute.”

Another mom said she had attended the meetings held by the district before it changed to a single bell system last year. “I went to the meetings. You promised to keep routes under an hour,” she said.

Other parents offered concerns regarding the safety of areas where buses turn around, as well as the road conditions some travel.

Superintendent Robert McTiernan said he, along with transportation director Wanda Harris, were working to resolve the bussing issues.

He also explained the need to strike a balance between “loaded” and “unloaded” miles. The bus contractors, McTiernan said, have all absorbed losses over the pass couple of years.

Parents with bussing concerns were urged to call the district for assistance.

The board approved the creation of an additional morning Pre-K class in order to reduce the students in each class.

A substitute teacher and paraeducator will be brought in until a teacher is hired.

McTiernan said he, along with Principal Matthew Button, will work on getting a room ready for the new class.

Students from each morning class, along with volunteers from the afternoon session, will comprise the new Pre-K classroom.