NAMPA, Idaho — This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Nampa School District parents shared heated comments following a full month of busing issues at a special Nampa Board of Trustees meeting Monday evening. Many noted that a specific demographic was being impacted — Nampa’s special education students.
Since the first day of school on Aug. 19, NSD buses have continued to see missed stops and lost children. These issues come after a switch in transportation contractors mid-summer — from longstanding partner Brown Bus Company to First Student.
A month into the school year, parents are still seeing the same issues at bus stops despite changes in operations and routes. Those who spoke at Monday’s meeting said they had not had concerns answered by the district and were continuing to see missed or delayed buses.
Approximately 30 attendees came to the board meeting at Skyview High School. Chair Brook Taylor began the meeting by informing the audience that public comments cannot include the names of any individuals as it is against board policy.
Frustrations regarding transportation have led to the circulation of a petition created on Sept. 4. With 172 signatures, the petition calls for the termination of multiple administration members.
Carol Carter, the creator of the petition, spoke at Monday’s meeting.
“The lies told to both the community and the Board of Trustees about the new transportation department’s efficiency is inexcusable,” Carter said. “These key figures misrepresented the capabilities of a new contractor and are taking no responsibility.”
Carter’s frustrations were shared by many who spoke during public comments.
Grandparent Cindy Cross has a granddaughter who uses an electric wheelchair. In the chaos of the past month, she has been left behind.
Cross said one afternoon her granddaughter was not able to get onto a van that was transporting students home and she was left at the school.
“They’ve left her at the school, that is not acceptable, and somebody needs to tell us how that is acceptable, because it’s not,” Cross said. “You don’t leave people like that.”
Despite their efforts, Cross’ family has not received a response regarding their concerns.
NSD parent Vernicia Anderson has a special needs child who also uses a wheelchair. Early in the school year, her son’s bus arrived 45 minutes late for pickup. The bus driver then struggled to work the wheelchair lift.
Bus delays and route changes have been a large issue for Anderson when scheduling appointments and keeping her son on schedule with his medications. She had yet to hear back from the district regarding her concerns.
Parents complained about a lack of responsiveness from the district. Many reported calling multiple times and sending emails, only to receive no response.
First Student driver Sue King said route changes were being made without the drivers’ or the parents’ knowledge.
On a Thursday morning, King came in to find a note on her keys. The note stated that a new stop was added, effective immediately.
“I need time to find that stop,” King said.
Parents were also unaware of the change, according to King.
Most recently, the NSD once again updated its bus routes, effective Tuesday, the day after the board meeting.
Driver Wendy Grier said that First Student has been working hard with the district, but drivers’ requests are not being fulfilled.
“We did not make those decisions,” Grier said.
Parent Becky Evans expressed that she did not disagree with the district’s long-term goal of conserving funds, but has been frustrated with a lack of communication. The district has said its biggest impetus for switching busing providers was that Brown Bus’ bid was noncompliant. Brown Bus disputes that.
“It’s not that the hard path was chosen, but how it was traveled,” Evans said.
THE PAST MONTH’S EFFORTS
Vice Chair Jeff Kirkman expressed frustrations over a lack of progress. Continued mentions of poor communication as a factor have begun to feel like a cop-out, he said.
“We’re a month into this,” he said. “Get. it. fixed.”
Superintendent Gregg Russell presented on changes being made behind the scenes.
“By any means, we are not where we need to be,” Russell said.
Russell said the district has received mass feedback and has been overloaded by communications. At the same time, the district office has made progress in responding.
RELATED: 'Inaccurate narrative': Brown Bus reflects on fractured relationship with Nampa School District
Athletics and activity busing has been a struggle, as there were not enough buses available, according to Russell.
“I think it’s important for the community to understand how complicated busing is,” Russell said.
Considerations include transportation for preschool, special education, activities and transfer busing between schools.
In the last week, First Student has brought in 13 more buses and is actively in the process of hiring more staff, according to Regional Vice President Greg Newman.
Buses are now located on one central lot and have officially moved into the district’s new facility.
Since the beginning of the school year, the district has made hundreds of changes to routes and bus stops.
“We’re in a better spot than we were three weeks ago,” Russell said.
The district is continuing to evaluate routes and has brought on experts through First Student to look at route optimization. The process will take a couple of weeks, with hopes to finalize routes in October.
“We do need to settle, at some point, we do need to say, ‘these are our routes,’” Russell said.
With these efforts in mind, Kirkman questioned where the disconnect was between the district’s efforts and the reality community members were seeing.
“Where’s the gap? Where’s the gap between what we are hearing from the public, and what is actually happening?” he said.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.