Shuttle scuttled at the district board meeting
Published 12:39 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Teresa McCallion
The Courier-Herald
The Sumner School Board met last week, revisiting the high school shuttle plan and discussing school transition plans, a special needs classroom at the Bonney Lake High School and revisions to the transportation vehicle fund.
The most contentious part of the meeting involved the shuttle plan.
The Secondary Programs 2005 committee faced the school board in force Jan. 19 to present two options for providing students with shuttle service between Sumner and Bonney Lake high schools beginning in September 2005.
It was the committee's third appearance before the board. In November, District Deputy Superintendent William Noland reported on a shuttle plan to provide students with a mid-day shuttle between the two high schools. Due to logistical problems, the board asked the committee to review its recommendation and return.
December's board meeting met with the same results. Members again were not satisfied with the committee's recommendation, asking them to take another run at it.
The idea for a shuttle is meant to help preserve the original concept of "one school with two campuses." While the core classes will be consistent between the two high schools, special programs will not be duplicated. To provide access to these programs, the committee is investigating the possibility of providing a shuttle service. Administrators are concerned that students driving themselves between schools will try to stop for lunch then race the clock to get to school on time, raising safety concerns.
Noland admitted the issue has consumed more time than it warrants, but it is an indication of how seriously the group is considering the shuttle plan. The guiding principle is to encourage students who prefer a particular program to enroll in the high school where that program is located. However, there will be a small number of students who will wish to attend one school, but take selected classes at the other.
The committee considered issues such as master schedules for all students and limits to alternatives and resources before presenting two options to the board last week - an all-day shuttle plan that includes shuttling students from one high school to the other at the beginning and end of each day, and a mid-day option that allows students to spend half the day at each school.
Either shuttle option would be offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors only.
The cost of the all-day shuttle is projected to be $42,000 per year. The mid-day shuttle is estimated to cost $63,000. This is in addition to the $153,000 extra in transportation costs resulting from added routes for the new high school.
Noland said the committee estimates approximately 20 to 30 students will use the shuttle service. Other high schools, such as those in Kent, have found that use diminished over time.
Although committee members support both plans, they prefer the all-day option, saying it allows students to participate in programs that include lunch hour activities, such as band.
The board is not convinced either plan is ideal. Several members expressed concern the district is considering any type of transportation. The open enrollment plan they approved at the December meeting required students who choose to attend a school outside their boundary area to provide their own transportation to and from school.
Board members Toni Froehling and Mike Pavlik questioned the need for a shuttle at all.
Member Greg Hanon argued that it is important to keep the district's commitment to the "one school with two campuses" concept.
"I think there's still value in this," Hanon said.
"We created a difficult situation," board president Sherm Voiles acknowledged, but noted the concept is more of a dream than a promise.
"It is becoming more and more apparent it's become a difficult thing to do," Voiles said.
A motion by Hanon to approve the mid-day shuttle option was voted down with only Hanon voting in favor.
Froehling moved to scuttle the shuttle altogether. The board approved the motion 4-1 with Hanon voting against.
Students who choose to attend a non-resident school will be responsible for providing their own transportation.
In other matters, the board approved a change order that will allow the construction of a high needs classroom for special needs students at Bonney Lake High School.
Original education planning and decision-making for the new high school did not provide for a high needs special education program. Sumner High School was designated as the exclusive school to provide those services. However, due to increasing numbers of high needs special education students at the high school level, additional classrooms are needed.
The 1,100-square-foot room will cost a premium because it was not included in the original design. Initial costs are estimated at $349,000. The board approved using money from the change order fund to pay for the project.
"It was a stroke of luck this particular space is there," Noland said.
The board gave the go-ahead to develop plans. A change order will be presented at an upcoming meeting.
The board also heard a report on student transition activites. Chuck Eychaner, principal at Victor Falls Elementary School, updated the board regarding student transition activities for fifth- and sixth-graders moving to middle school and eighth- and ninth-graders transitioning to high school. Eychaner is coordinating student transition activities for elementary and junior high students. The job is much bigger this year as the district moves from junior highs to middle schools.
"We are transitioning twice as many students as we ever have," he noted.
Several events have already occurred, he said, including open houses in September, a postcard mailing campaign in November and high school parent meetings in December and January.
Still to come are high school principal visits in January and a mailing to families with eighth-, ninth- and tenth-grade students. In February, class schedules will be distributed. Other scheduled events have been scheduled through September.
Eychaner reported that interest has been high. A recent Bonney Lake High School parent meeting drew a crowd of 150. District Athletic Director Tim Thomsen reported he spent one hour making a presentation regarding athletic issues, followed by a 90-minute question-and-answer session.
Additional information about student transitions is available by going to the district section of the Sumner Web site (www.sumner.wednet.edu) and following the Plan 2005 link.
Teresa McCallion can be reached at tmccallion@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
