Wednesday, August 13, 2003

As the mother of a kindergartner, thus new to the Fayette County School System, I was more than dismayed at the news that the bus system was bypassing my neighborhood. As I search for information as to why one of my reasons for 13 years of paying taxes in Peachtree City has been taken away without my input, I am getting angry and upset.

This is all I can find (and I had to search for that!): "Routes for all students are designed with trunk routes and spur routes. Busses will travel trunk routes as assigned. Spur routes will be designated if the distance is 5/10 mile in length. Therefore, bus stop placement will be changed from 3/10 of a mile to 5/10 of a mile within a subdivision."

This means little to nothing to me. Without definition of trunk routes, I'm not even sure where the buses are going. And what designates a "spur route"? I have tested some of the distances within The Marks and The Estates, and some of these streets are clearly half a mile or more from our school. Who decided all this? Why weren't we involved? And why aren't we being told anything? The lack of information being disseminated about this major disruption as well as the timing of the announcement is appalling and deplorable.

Was any consideration given to the parents' situations this would directly affect? Never mind my child's disappointment. She regarded the bus ride as a "treat," one that was easing her fears over going to the big kids' school. Now I have to tell her at the last minute that she won't get her treat. I could have prepared her, if I had known ahead of time. All she's left with is her apprehension. Thanks a lot.

I have spoken with many other parents on this issue. We are all upset. Some will be more affected than others: Those who work outside the home, those with babies whose prime nap time is early afternoon, and those, like me, who have toddlers in preschool with corresponding times to elementary school.

I can only imagine how this will add to our teachers' workloads, as they have to shepherd so many more children to individual cars. Was any consideration given to the traffic snarls this will cause in the parking lot? How long will it take to pick up my child and be on my way? And why weren't we given enough time to prepare and make other arrangements if necessary? Being told four days before school starts that you will not receive bus service is an outrage. Actually, I had to find out from a neighbor. Again, thanks for nothing.

I'm not sure what I wish for most: That this will, indeed, work out all right and there won't be major delays in the parking lots, or that the Powers That Be will realize what a mistake this is and reinstate the bus routes. What I do realize is that the people who are affected the most evidently don't have any say in the matter.

Lisa Treon

Peachtree City, Ga.