Two parents voiced their concerns Monday at the Brainerd School Board meeting about the new transportation policy.
The board listened to the concerns, but took no action on changing the policy.
Board member Bob Nystrom told the parents that the school board is aware of the transportation concerns. He said the school's finance committee met before the school board meeting and heard from Kala Henkensiefken, school transportation director, about what other school districts are doing with their transportation.
The Brainerd School District made several changes in transportation this school year, which included having children walk if they live within one mile from their school, the school of choice option was eliminated and parents could only request one drop-off and pick-up site.
Kitty Jacob of Brainerd was concerned with her children walking to school in the winter. Jacob said she'd be willing to do anything to help out the district in changing the one-mile walk rule.
Kindergarten teacher Ann Edman guided her students onto a waiting school bus Monday at Baxter Elementary School. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Chuck Goering of rural Brainerd also was concerned with the busing and wanted it to change. Goering said if the district did a fundraiser for transportation, "They'd be surprised with how much money they'd get to help."
Goering also felt that the school board did not listen to the parents during the policy changes.
In the finance committee, Henkensiefken said there have been many phone calls from parents since the first day of school about hardships they had with transportation. She said one of the biggest issues was not having multiple drop-offs for children in split custody situations.
Henkensiefken said there are school districts who allow multiple drop-off and pick-up sites and they charge families for the service. Henkensiefken said that is an option the school board could look into. She said of the 38 districts surveyed, 17 charge a fee.
Henkensiefken said the fee ranged from $1 per day per student to $500 per family a year. However, Henkensiefken said the districts reported that they had to hire a staff member to collect fees and run the program.
The school's Bus Committee will review these transportation options at 10 a.m. Sept. 25 at Washington Educational Service Building.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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