SCHOOLS: Seatbelts wrong priority

The Coeur d’Alene School District has elected to spend $100,000++ on seatbelts in buses. This focus on safety is surprising, as they don’t currently provide safe transportation.

In 2012, after 60 years of safely busing kids, the district decided to quietly axe the bus routes and resort to a “bus stop” system in an effort to save money. Most of these “bus stops” are just intersections of county roads, miles from students’ homes. There are no speed limit adjustments, walkways, shelters or parking.

Despite being unsafe and unfair, this fast one pulled on parents seemed somewhat reasonable, considering the stagnant enrollment and stumbling economy at that time. But, things have changed now, with shiny new buildings, buses, electronics, new staff with fancy titles and crammed classrooms.

However, these hazardous stops never followed Idaho Law 33-1501 that states “to afford equal opportunity to education,” buses shall be provided, with the “PRIMARY consideration of student safety.”

Why is SD271 blowing money on seatbelts, and not affording kids equal educational access by providing adequate busing? How ironic that kids will now get to unbuckle their safetybelts before their professional and skilled bus drivers are forced to drop them off on the side of roads far from home without sidewalks.

Please, Mr Hearn and SD271, before trying to trendset, follow the law, common sense, and focus on your responsibility to ensure all kids in our district have safe, equal access to our schools.

REBECCA KARVONEN

Coeur d’Alene