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Frequently asked questions about busing, safety, assignments
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007 |
I moved over the weekend. Who do I contact to get a new bus stop for my child?
Routing is based upon the legal address the school has on file for a student. It is the parents responsibility to provide documentation of address to the school. The school will make the necessary changes and notify the Transportation Department. Transportation will assign a safe bus stop, in alignment with School Board policy and State guidelines.
To establish a new, safe bus stop location a new route must be identified and then reviewed by a Transportation Department staff member for any potential hazards. Depending on workload, this process can take up to seven days.
Who is responsible for informing me that the stop was moved or a drop-off or pickup route has been changed?
The Transportation Department notifies the schools of any route or time changes. It is the schools responsibility to relay that information to the parents. It has been requested that they provide written documentation concerning any route or schedule changes to the parents.
How do I find out if my childs school will be closed in the event of an emergency?
Residents in Florida know the dangers of inclement weather especially during the hurricane season. While very infrequent, there may be times when our schools may have to close to protect our students and be reopened as emergency shelters for the community. The superintendent in consultation with his staff and the Pinellas County Emergency Operations office makes decisions regarding the closing of public schools. Pinellas County schools works closely with our local television and radio media outlets to inform the public when school closings occur. In addition, the district maintains its own public information telephone number that provides information on a daily basis regarding the status of schools being in session.
As a ready reference, the following telephone number has been designated as the district information line: 588-6424. A recorded message will be provided each day regarding any changes in school openings or closings. The recording will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Can my child use one stop in the AM and another in the PM?
Unfortunately not, school board policy states that students must use the same stop AM and PM from their legal address.
What is lockdown?
A lockdown is used to restrict movement within a building, as well as movement into or out of a building, whenever an emergency situation exists and personal safety is in jeopardy. A lockdown consists of locking all exterior doors, and interior doors to classrooms and offices. A lockdown could be used to isolate a student or anyone who was reported to be armed with a weapon, to prevent students from going outside because of some threat in the vicinity of the school, or to prevent someone who poses a threat from entering the building (such as a wanted subject fleeing law enforcement in the area of the school).
What is the timeline for the new 2008-09 student assignment plan?
June and July 2007 Development stages of the plan.
Aug. 9 Draft of the assignment plan reviewed by the board at a workshop.
Aug. 23 Final draft of the plan shared with the board at workshop before being presented to the community.
Aug. 24 through Sept. 17 Community input sessions.
Sept. 18 Community feedback reported to the board at workshop.
Sept. 18 through Sept. 20 or Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 School public hearings held to receive community feedback and input on plan.
Oct. 16 First reading of the new plan at School Board meeting.
Nov. 13 Second reading (adoption) of student assignment plan.
Nov. 14 New student assignment plan announced to the community.
How can community members give input or ask questions about the new plans?
There will be several community input sessions scheduled between Aug. 24 and Sept. 17. Dates and locations will be posted on the district Web site when the information becomes available.
Where did the recommendations for change come from?
The district had enlisted the help of a Choice Task Force, a 47-member group, that met for 18 months beginning in August 2005. The group used a number of methods, including a parent survey that was sent to 33,000 families last year, to gather information to use in developing the recommendations for the Pinellas County School Board.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007
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