MINUTES
SCRIPPS RANCH BUS COMMITTEE
April 24, 2018 @ 7:00pm
Scripps Ranch Library, Community Room
Present: T. Philips, G. Faber, C. Villela, C. Walbridge
Absent: D. Fetherling, D. Chilton, J. Spahn
I. Welcome!
A. Call to order – T. Philips called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.
B. Roll Call - T. Philips, G. Faber, C. Villela, C. Walbridge were present; D. Fetherling, D. Chilton,
J. Spahn were absent.
C. Modifications to the Agenda – none.
II. Non-Agenda Public Comment – none.
III. Discussion Items/Presentations
A. Update on Communications
1. San Diego Unified School District
a. Disability of Parent Priority – T. Philips relayed the information he received from the District on the issue of creating a disability priority category based on the disability of the student’s parent/guardian. The District does not provide bus service to families where the student’s parents’ ADA status is at issue, rather they only provide it where the student has the ADA disability, and the District leaves it up to the SRBC whether or not to create new priorities for the program.
b. Program Complaints and Program Jeopardy – T. Philips informed the community about two complaints registered against the SRBC related to the issue of creating a disability of the parent/guardian priority. One complaint was with MMS Administration and opposes the creation of the priority, and one complaint is with the District’s Superintendent’s office and is in favor of creating the priority. The District complaint is in the investigation phase. T. Philips has provided a statement on the SRBC’s activities to the District. T. Philips expressed concern over complaints potentially creating a negative reputation for the program at the District level and ultimately putting it in jeopardy. He reiterated the ability of all parents to come to the SRBC meetings, engage in the conversations, and asked that all abide by the decisions made by the SRBC after debate and vote. He also encouraged parents to join the SRBC if they want to take a role in creating/shaping the parameters of the program.
2. Scripps Ranch Cluster Schools – G. Faber and T. Philips mentioned the support the bus program received by the different school principals and parent organizations.
3. Update on Flyer Distribution and Outreach – T. Philips mentioned that every stop was manned at some point during the outreach effort. One parent said they did not receive any notice from their child on the Swan Lake route. The SRBC acknowledged they will likely miss some families in this effort.
4. Update on Registration – T. Philips mentioned that there are 277 registrations to date; there was a discussion among the committee and community about how many were returning riders, how many were siblings of returning riders, and how many potential seats will be available for the lottery.
5. Temporary Cards and Permanent Cards – it was suggested the SRBC provide families with bus riders an email with the temporary card included, thus saving the committee the expense of printing up the passes themselves.
6. Security on Buses – T. Philips mentioned one of the issues raised at the April 11 informational meeting was security on the buses. A discussion ensued about how many seats are on each bus and how many students are allowed on it. T. Philips mentioned the need to sit down with the District to address and educate the SRBC on bus safety in order to share it with the community. It was suggested that all participants should be provided with the bus safety and behavior and undergo bus evacuation training. T. Philips agreed to reach out to the District and find out what the District standard is on the maximum number of students allowed on the buses and if bus evacuation training can be provided to program participants.
B. Comprehensive Transportation Plan for All Students – T. Philips relayed a conversation had with a concerned parent who would like to find a way to provide private transportation for all MMS students in need of transport to and from MMS. T. Philips expressed conceptual support of the notion to provide comprehensive transportation for Scripps Ranch, but that the SRBC’s role is not to create such a program. The parent is in the process of doing the due diligence on the concept.
C. Timeline for 2018-19 School Year:
1. Registration Window – April 12-April 30
2. Lottery Date – May 9, 2018 – will be in the Reading Room of the Library as the Community Room is booked for the night.
3. Annual Meeting/Elections – May 22, 2018
IV. Action Items
A. Proposed Amendment to the SRBC Business Rules Addendum
C. Modifications to the Agenda – none.
II. Non-Agenda Public Comment – none.
III. Discussion Items/Presentations
A. Update on Communications
1. San Diego Unified School District
a. Disability of Parent Priority – T. Philips relayed the information he received from the District on the issue of creating a disability priority category based on the disability of the student’s parent/guardian. The District does not provide bus service to families where the student’s parents’ ADA status is at issue, rather they only provide it where the student has the ADA disability, and the District leaves it up to the SRBC whether or not to create new priorities for the program.
b. Program Complaints and Program Jeopardy – T. Philips informed the community about two complaints registered against the SRBC related to the issue of creating a disability of the parent/guardian priority. One complaint was with MMS Administration and opposes the creation of the priority, and one complaint is with the District’s Superintendent’s office and is in favor of creating the priority. The District complaint is in the investigation phase. T. Philips has provided a statement on the SRBC’s activities to the District. T. Philips expressed concern over complaints potentially creating a negative reputation for the program at the District level and ultimately putting it in jeopardy. He reiterated the ability of all parents to come to the SRBC meetings, engage in the conversations, and asked that all abide by the decisions made by the SRBC after debate and vote. He also encouraged parents to join the SRBC if they want to take a role in creating/shaping the parameters of the program.
2. Scripps Ranch Cluster Schools – G. Faber and T. Philips mentioned the support the bus program received by the different school principals and parent organizations.
3. Update on Flyer Distribution and Outreach – T. Philips mentioned that every stop was manned at some point during the outreach effort. One parent said they did not receive any notice from their child on the Swan Lake route. The SRBC acknowledged they will likely miss some families in this effort.
4. Update on Registration – T. Philips mentioned that there are 277 registrations to date; there was a discussion among the committee and community about how many were returning riders, how many were siblings of returning riders, and how many potential seats will be available for the lottery.
5. Temporary Cards and Permanent Cards – it was suggested the SRBC provide families with bus riders an email with the temporary card included, thus saving the committee the expense of printing up the passes themselves.
6. Security on Buses – T. Philips mentioned one of the issues raised at the April 11 informational meeting was security on the buses. A discussion ensued about how many seats are on each bus and how many students are allowed on it. T. Philips mentioned the need to sit down with the District to address and educate the SRBC on bus safety in order to share it with the community. It was suggested that all participants should be provided with the bus safety and behavior and undergo bus evacuation training. T. Philips agreed to reach out to the District and find out what the District standard is on the maximum number of students allowed on the buses and if bus evacuation training can be provided to program participants.
B. Comprehensive Transportation Plan for All Students – T. Philips relayed a conversation had with a concerned parent who would like to find a way to provide private transportation for all MMS students in need of transport to and from MMS. T. Philips expressed conceptual support of the notion to provide comprehensive transportation for Scripps Ranch, but that the SRBC’s role is not to create such a program. The parent is in the process of doing the due diligence on the concept.
C. Timeline for 2018-19 School Year:
1. Registration Window – April 12-April 30
2. Lottery Date – May 9, 2018 – will be in the Reading Room of the Library as the Community Room is booked for the night.
3. Annual Meeting/Elections – May 22, 2018
IV. Action Items
A. Proposed Amendment to the SRBC Business Rules Addendum
1. Disability of Parent as a Priority – a member of the public gave an update on state law on disabilities and transportation to schools which does not include the disability of a parent/guardian; anything beyond the state law mandates on what school districts need to provide in terms of transportation, requires an approval from the District; suggestions from the community included creating a priority with the only proof needed to qualify being the DMV-issued blue parking placard, or setting aside a number of seats on the buses for this purpose and having a case-by-case review process to award the, or a sub-lottery for the disabled qualifying families.
Motion by C. Villela: the SRBC should not recognize any priorities other than those for the disabled.
Outcome: Motion failed for a lack of a second.
Motion by G. Faber: create a subcommittee to review each request to look at an underlying claimed disability of a parent/guardian and grant priority status on a case-by-case basis, to be re-evaluated each successive year, and to determine a certain number of seats on the buses to be set aside for these purposes. Seconded by C. Walbridge.
Discussion: Difficulties with implementing the subcommittee’s proposed charge and determining what disabilities qualify, and how the subcommittee will determine which and how disabilities or hardships are to be prioritized.
Outcome: Motion withdrawn by G. Faber.
Motion by C. Walbridge: create a sub-lottery for the 2019-20 year to set aside a determined number of seats on the buses for students of eligible disabled parents/guardians (who have supporting documentation), to be reviewed on a yearly basis for renewal. Seconded by G. Faber.
Discussion: Inequity exists in changing the program rules for the current year and suggestion was made for any proposed changes to take effect for the 2019-20 year; T. Philips checked the Bylaws and cited Article V, Section 1 requiring a majority vote of all SRBC members, and not a majority of those present to pass any policies, therefore a unanimous vote is required to pass the motion.
Outcome: Motion failed 2-2.
B. Current Rider List Confirmation Progress – due to the SRBC’s inability to verify the ridership status of all 2017-18 riders, the necessity to try and allocate any seats on the buses this academic year is patently unfair.
Motion by C. Walbrdge: the SRBC should not assign any new riders to the bus routes for the remainder of the 2017-18 academic year. Seconded by G. Faber.
Outcome: Motion passes, 4-0.
C. Multiple Registration vs. Single Registrations for the 2018-19 Lottery – suggestion to trail the item to May; it was discussed that by trailing the item to May it is giving it preferential treatment over Item IV. A. 1. by allowing for the full SRBC to vote on it rather than the limited number of SRBC members present tonight.
Outcome: Item is dispensed with for lack of a motion.
V. Approval of Minutes
A. March 21, 2018 Minutes – trailed to May Agenda.
VI. Open Discussion – All items discussed tonight or any previous SRBC meeting can always be brought back for another vote by request of any SRBC member.
VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 9:48pm.
Motion by G. Faber: create a subcommittee to review each request to look at an underlying claimed disability of a parent/guardian and grant priority status on a case-by-case basis, to be re-evaluated each successive year, and to determine a certain number of seats on the buses to be set aside for these purposes. Seconded by C. Walbridge.
Discussion: Difficulties with implementing the subcommittee’s proposed charge and determining what disabilities qualify, and how the subcommittee will determine which and how disabilities or hardships are to be prioritized.
Outcome: Motion withdrawn by G. Faber.
Motion by C. Walbridge: create a sub-lottery for the 2019-20 year to set aside a determined number of seats on the buses for students of eligible disabled parents/guardians (who have supporting documentation), to be reviewed on a yearly basis for renewal. Seconded by G. Faber.
Discussion: Inequity exists in changing the program rules for the current year and suggestion was made for any proposed changes to take effect for the 2019-20 year; T. Philips checked the Bylaws and cited Article V, Section 1 requiring a majority vote of all SRBC members, and not a majority of those present to pass any policies, therefore a unanimous vote is required to pass the motion.
Outcome: Motion failed 2-2.
B. Current Rider List Confirmation Progress – due to the SRBC’s inability to verify the ridership status of all 2017-18 riders, the necessity to try and allocate any seats on the buses this academic year is patently unfair.
Motion by C. Walbrdge: the SRBC should not assign any new riders to the bus routes for the remainder of the 2017-18 academic year. Seconded by G. Faber.
Outcome: Motion passes, 4-0.
C. Multiple Registration vs. Single Registrations for the 2018-19 Lottery – suggestion to trail the item to May; it was discussed that by trailing the item to May it is giving it preferential treatment over Item IV. A. 1. by allowing for the full SRBC to vote on it rather than the limited number of SRBC members present tonight.
Outcome: Item is dispensed with for lack of a motion.
V. Approval of Minutes
A. March 21, 2018 Minutes – trailed to May Agenda.
VI. Open Discussion – All items discussed tonight or any previous SRBC meeting can always be brought back for another vote by request of any SRBC member.
VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 9:48pm.
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