Conflict over a bus stop in Springfield Township continues, recently involving The Clarkston News.
Parents gathered Sept. 14 at the bus stop near Big Lake to talk about safety concerns. The meeting created a safety issue itself, said Dr. Al Roberts, Clarkston Community School superintendent.
Roberts received a report stating vehicles were parked in the road, a parent shined a flashlight in the bus driver’s eyes, and sheriff’s deputies, usually at the location to monitor traffic, were absent, he said.
Sheriff’s deputies took a report about the flashlight, but no charges are expected to be filed, said Sgt. Mark Gardner, Springfield Township Substation commander.
‘Parents were carrying flashlights because it was dark,? Gardner said. ‘I think it was inadvertent.?
Deputies were called to another incident that morning, he said.
The sheriff’s department only involvement is to enforce the law, not determine where bus stops should be located, Gardner said.
‘This is between the parents and the school district,? he said.
The parents on Big Lake are fighting a route change that eliminated stops close to their homes, speaking to the Board of Education at its past two public meetings.
‘I understand there are rules, but in special circumstances, rules should be bent,? said parent Michelle Dolan. ‘I spend all day worrying about my child’s safety.?
The Big Lake route was changed to eliminate stops where the bus had to stop, back up, and turn around. The no-back-up rule has been school policy for years, but hasn’t been enforced consistently until now, Roberts said.
As part of a budget and safety review this past year, a transportation committee of parents and school officials examined routes all over the district, he said.
‘The most egregious violation of policy was exceptions to backing up,? he said. ‘No one on the committee felt backing up a bus was safe.?
The school transportation system eliminated about 17 turnarounds, loops, and backroads to streamline routes and conform to policy.
The Big Lake stop should be considered an exception, said parent Sue Cummings.
‘There’s no danger to children when the bus is backing up ? all the children are on the bus,? Cummings said.
‘I think the changes are more dangerous than the bus backing up,? said parent Kelly Adams.
Based on discussions so far with parents, school officials moved the bus stop to a straighter stretch of road and offered suggestions, said Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing.
‘Other choices include carpools, hiring child-care providers, latchkey,? Banach said. ‘They can go to any other bus stop in the district.?
An alternative offered by parents to extend the route so the bus wouldn’t have to back up can’t work because it would extend into the Holly School District, she said.
Parents are exploring alternatives, but still want the old stop back.
‘We’ve talked to our neighbors ? they have to work,? Adams said.
‘One of us will have to quit our job,? Cummings said. ‘There’s a strong possibility we’ll have to move ? a very strong possibility.?
Parents plan to continue fighting the change.
‘We’re meeting with Oakland Schools and our state representative,? Cummings said. ‘We’re not stopping.?
State law supports the school district’s position, Roberts said.
‘We can move the bus stop to another location but not if it requires a turnaround,? he said. ‘Is this a good situation? No. I wish all roads had better access.?

Student safety sole point of agreement

Clarkston schools? position:
For safety, routes must keep school buses moving forward ? no outliers where the bus must stop, back up, turn around, and retrace its steps.
School districts are not required or funded by the state to provide door-to-door bus transportation.
Parents or guardians are responsible for children on the way to and from the bus stop. The school district is responsible once they get on the bus.
Parents? position
Eliminating the bus stop is more dangerous than backing up, because their rural road students is narrow, dark, winding, and banked with dense woods and ravines. Moving the stop means students walk farther, sharing the road with vehicles.