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New policy for buses at S. Putnam

Thursday, April 19, 2007
By JASON MOON, Assistant Editor

Because of ongoing issues dealing with road conditions in subdivisions, South Putnam Community School Corp. Supt. Bruce Bernhardt offered a new transportation policy to the school board Monday.

The policy will be up for adoption at the board's May meeting, so action was taken regarding the policy at the April session.

Bernhardt said corporation bus drivers have had problems in the past dealing with road conditions near subdivisions. He said, according to some of the corporation bus drivers, some of those roads have not been maintained during inclement weather.

He said the purpose of putting together a new policy was to "give us one central point of contact," referring to a representative of a home owner's association.

"Most of the time, it's not a problem," Bernhardt said. "But when it is, we have to have a procedure in place."

The new policy states that SPCSC buses will enter a privately owned road into a subdivision only if the property is represented by a homeowners's association.

It also points to eight items of concern, including:

  • The roads must be considered safe as determined by the director of transportation,

  • If the road is in need of repair, the director of transportation will contact the homeowner's association with instructions to correct the situation,

  • The road must be maintained on a regular basis to reduce damage to buses,

  • If the surface deteriorates, the bus will not enter,

  • The road must remain passable at all times,

  • If cars park on the sides of the road, the width must be adequate for safe bus passage,

  • Snow must be removed in a timely fashion, and

  • Transportation services may cease at any time if a private road is deemed unsafe or impassable for any reason by the director of transportation.

    SPCSC's director of transportation is Chuck Shafer.

    Meanwhile, Bernhardt told the board members and those in attendance Monday that the corporation would continue to monitor security at each of its school buildings following Monday's deadly shootings at Virginia Tech University where 33 people were killed.

    "Our hearts really pour out for those kids," Bernhardt said. "We just wish them the very best.

    "I don't think you can look at your security measures too much. We'll continue, on a local level, to look at our security measures."

    Board member Howard Bowen was not at Monday's meeting.

    In other news, the board:

  • Approved the resignation of high school custodian Tim Parrish.

  • Approved the termination of high school part-time custodian Tom Childress.

  • Approved the retirement of high school teacher Cheryl Steuerwald.

  • Approved the hiring of certified high school driver's education instructors Carl Coons, Allan Rains and Kate Atkinson.

  • Approved the hiring of classified full-time bus driver Jo Miller and classified part-time high school custodian Angela Wishmeier.

  • Approved an overnight field trip for the Adventure Club to the DePauw University Nature Park.

  • Was reminded that the corporation's kindergarten roundups were scheduled for Fillmore (April 24), Central (April 25) and Reelsville (April 26).

    The board meets regularly on the third Monday of each month in the Central Elementary School music room. Its next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., May 21.

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