Pantagraph.com | News | Blue Ridge may stop stop transporting some kids to school

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

How old are you? wrote on Sep 7, 2007 9:10 PM:

" It seems that all of you whom have posted are just trying to rag on one another..you are acting as if you need the Pre-K lessons. All ask yourselves...would you let your Pre-K student walk 1 mi to school crossing a major highway without crossing guards? I thought not. I am a daycare provider in FC and I will be picking up all of my daycare children, whom I have eduated on pedestrian rights and responsibilites, each and every day from school. I feel for all of you because you are only commenting to make your opinion heard but where were you all when the school board met about the issue???? I am going to assume that almost none of you attended since you are venting here. "

Oh, Winnie~~ wrote on Sep 6, 2007 6:38 PM:

" We're you named after the bear? Your comment about stay at home moms is appaulling. My staying home dos'nt justify your sad, sappy saying that it's an excuse for not wanting to work. Good for you for working, and the same as me for not. Believe me little girl, (that's how you sound) are no better than I. "

The Real Solution wrote on Sep 6, 2007 10:08 AM:

" The solution to the transportation problems of Blue Ridge parents is simple: One parent goes to work at "the Farm" where they can set their own hours and the other quits to stay at home. It's so obvious I can't believe you all can't see it. "

Hawk wrote on Sep 6, 2007 10:04 AM:

" The BR school board and supt just NOW realized that the bus service was costing them money? I think the bigger issue is what else are they doing that's costing the district money. This isn't about being a responsible parent. It's about fiscal responsibility. Of course people are going to be upset. "

Winnie wrote on Sep 6, 2007 8:27 AM:

" Obviously, most of the posters here don't live in Farmer City. If they did, they would know that the bus already goes by most of the existing bus stops. They would also know that property taxes went thru the roof. I think the solution is not to take away something cold turkey that has been offered for years. And while we're at it, stop putting down working mothers. Stay at home moms will use any issue to justify their own "I don't want to work" attitude. It's not about your kids and their needs and safety. It's about YOU. Leave those of us that wish to work and be productive members of society alone. And to "So Tired" I am so tired of people like you. Not everyone works at the farm, nor does everyone want to! This issue is taking place in the Blue Ridge school district, at 26 miles away from B-N. And if you don't have young kids, then it doesn't concern you. I couldn't agree more with Lakota. This is not a parenting issue. "

lakota wrote on Sep 6, 2007 12:05 AM:

" It's a shame that people like pre-k and so tired are trying to turn this into a parenting issue. Ignorance like theirs takes away from productive discussion. "

CC wrote on Sep 6, 2007 12:05 AM:

" And by the way - just how much would it cost to hire crossing guards and put flashing lights and crosswalks in? More than $7,000.00 a year? "

CC wrote on Sep 6, 2007 12:01 AM:

" I have a day-care in Mansfield. Do we have any bus service? NO! As it is I have to load up 3 babies - in car seats - and take 5 children to school. Then load up 3 babies at 11:30 to pick up a pre k child. OH wait - guess he could walk here at 3 years of age, with no crossing guard. Yea, that would be smart. Or just take him out of pre k. We don't need pre k to help teach your children, do we? Oh well, then at 3:30 load up 4 babies to pick up at the school. That is in sun, rain and snow. Wouldn't it be safer to have them on the bus for 10 minutes? What would the problem be to stop right on hi-way 150 and let a few kids on so they don't have to cross the hi-way and rail road tracks? The bus would not go out of the way at all. "

Shaking my head.... wrote on Sep 5, 2007 11:36 PM:

" It is obvious to me which parents are geniunely concerned for not only their children but children in general. The others who say, "I walked to school"; "Kids need to walk to school to reduce child obesity" and "Parents need to teach their kids how to cross the street, etc." are idiotic to say the least. We have programs such as D.A.R.E. and Fire Safety Week which are provided through the schools to educate students of these dangers and precautions. Should these programs be scrapped to the way side and the owness put on ONLY the parents. Offer basic pedestrian rights to our young in the schools. I am a teacher in a different district but have children in BR and this bus issue greatly effects my family. There is no way I would allow a 3 and 4 yr. old to walk anywhere but beside me holding my hand! I live a mile away from the school and my 6yr. old would never walk to school. The school and parents need to brainstorm and create a plan that will benefit our children's safety and satisfy the district's concern of money. "

To: Pre-K wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:56 PM:

" Agreed. I can't believe some parents these days... "

To: Pre-K wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:30 PM:

" Your attitude is horrendous, and I pity you. "

surprised wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:28 PM:

" I'm surprised by the numerous comments that are posted. I was at last night's meeting and don't believe most of you were. One dad made a wonderful suggestion that the board is taking action on. He suggested getting yellow flashing lights and cross walk zones in place where children can cross Rts 54 & 150 safely. Bravo to him! Another also suggested that we get crossing guards in place at those areas. I too feel that it's going to be a difficult transition for those involved, but it's a necessary one. It's not just $210 per child. As presented last night, the more our transportation costs rise, the more the state will deduct. As we all know, the gas prices are rising...that will equal more deductions. "

To I can see wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:52 PM:

" I totally agree with you. It wasn't until I quit my job (with every intention of going back to work) that I realized that we could afford to be a single income family. I am so blessed that I can be home with my kids, I am just upset that it took me almost 2 1/2 years to realize that we could afford for me to stay home. I feel for all of the Pre-k parents, but Unit 5 has the same "no bus within a mile and a half" and our kids and families adjust. And as you may recall we have had recent child abductions as well. Like the previous poster suggested, you will have to find a way to make it work. I help a neighbor by bringing her child to school everyday. "

Simple solution wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:45 PM:

" Blue Ridge loses $210 per non-reimbursable rider. Charge the non-reimbursable riders $210 per year. If it's important for your kid to ride the bus, then pay for it. Don't argue that's not fair. You'd have to pay a lot more than that for daycare if your kid wasn't in free daycare....I mean pre-K. "

I can see (part 2) wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:39 PM:

" Speaking just for my family, we don't have cable, we didn't have a TV til someone gave us a free one last month, my kids clothes are generally secondhand, and our van has over 225,000 miles on it. No, this doesn't make me better than anyone else, maybe just willing to live without the very best? Sometimes I think the two income requirement becomes an issue of 'wants' that our society has turned into necessities, or even an issue of poor budgeting. But again, before anybody attacks-I know there are people scraping by with an old car, old clothes, no frills, and no options for changing their situation. As for the real issue here, the transportation cost has to be covered by someone, if not the state, then the students' parents. "

Pre-K wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:37 PM:

" Obviously the state thinks pre-K is a luxury or it wouldn't reduce reimbursements for them. I have two kids who got by just fine without pre-K. They had these things called parents. It's amazing what you can teach your child if you take the time to do it. "

I can see... wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:33 PM:

" from the perspective of 'so tired' AND the 'to so tired's. My husband worked his way through college & we lived paycheck to paycheck while he was in grad school, and then again later when he started his own business that allows him to set his own hours. During those times, we worked & we sacrificed. Now I'm blessed to be able to stay home with our kids. But believe me, I understand that it is just not an option for a lot of people to get the higher education needed to get a better paying job, or set their hours even if they can find a job with higher income. I do find it interesting that between my husband's and my sibling's families (9 families), all are single income, and they are not "high" incomes either. So it MUST be possible. "

So tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 4:14 PM:

" Did any of you ever ask your bosses to rearrange your schedule? I DO work and so does my husband. I go into work later so I can drop them off and my husband goes in very early so he can be home to pick them up. I have neighbors, who work for "the Farm" that have done the same. Instead of accusing me living in a fantasy world, being pro welfare and anti-working parents, and making you sick, maybe you should try to come up with a solution to the problem instead of just complaining about the problem. It is not the schools responsibility to get your child there and back. It is yours. You now have to face up to the responsibility and you are mad about it. "

to so tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 3:04 PM:

" Tell me where I can sign up for that job where I can set my own hours and still afford to provide for my child. "

BR parent wrote on Sep 5, 2007 3:03 PM:

" I think that yes, the school dist. is always going to look for ways to cut spending. Maybe the solution should be a sign-up sheet between stay at home moms and daycare providers that are able to provide transportation for carpools. Whoever says pre-k is a luxury does not have young ones in school, that's for sure. And for safety sake, even my Jr High youngster has to call me at work every day when they get home. Remember the guy in the maroon truck last spring? There are too many creeps out there..... "

to so tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 2:41 PM:

" What a joy it must be to live in a fantasy world where you get to set your own hours of work!!!! Get the silver spoon out of your mouth and take a look at reality. Most parents are fortunate enough to have a job that pays the bills. Responsibility is arranging after school care so that the parent(s) can work and provide for their children. Responsibility is speaking out against idiotic school board decisions that give priority to finances over student safety. Did you ever think that some of these parents work in the public safety sector of society and are on call 24/7. Maybe they can't always be home when the school day ends. Maybe the parent will be there , maybe they won't. Would be nice to have a day care safety net. WAIT!!!!!! "so tired" is against working parents...so lets all quit our jobs, go on welfare so we can be home when the school bell rings. It's people like "so tired" looking down their noses at the working people of this community that make me sick. "

to so tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 2:16 PM:

" What a joy it must be to live in a fantasy world where you can set your own hours of work. Get your head on straight!!! Most parents are fortunate enough to have a job that pays the bills, let alone one where you get to call all the shots. Responsibility is arranging after school care so that a parent(s) can work and provide for their children. Responsibility is speaking out against idiotic school decisions that sacrifice student safety for finances. Maybe we should all quit our jobs and go on welfare so we can be home for our kids. It's people like "so tired" that look down their noses at the working people of this community that make me sick. "

To So Tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 1:46 PM:

" Sorry, So Tired, but try living in the real world. It takes two incomes these days to raise a family and most employers ARE NOT FLEXIBLE in their work hours. "

So tired wrote on Sep 5, 2007 1:06 PM:

" I am so tired of parents thinking the school, city, state, government, should take care of everything. Where is this sense of entitlement coming from? These are YOUR kids!!! They are YOUR responsibility. I know of many parents who have rearranged their work schedules so one parent can take and one parent can pick up. "

To Farmer City Parent wrote on Sep 5, 2007 1:04 PM:

" You said it. Of course Belinda is right, but money speaks louder than common sense. "

farmer city parent wrote on Sep 5, 2007 12:36 PM:

" Once again a school district puts money issues over child safety. Has anyone checked the State Police web site on sex offenders? There are several living in town who prefer small children. Who is there to protect them then? How many of you would turn your 5 year old child loose in a shopping mall unsupervised? Yet you are going to ask them to walk up to 1.5 miles across town by themselves. I'm 39 years old and the traffic on route 54 is no calk walk for me to cross. This is the road my 5 year old would have to cross by herself. I guess 2 working parents can't count on the school for sensible transportation solutions. Belinda is right. How about crossing guards? "

To lol wrote on Sep 5, 2007 12:17 PM:

" As a parent whose child was almost kidnapped, I can honestly say that teaching a child safety does not solve all problems. For a young child to walk a mile to school is rediculous. What is more important, the children or a few dollars? "

To: I Feel wrote on Sep 5, 2007 12:14 PM:

" My daughter just started Kindergarden this year. She had previously attended 2 years of Pre-K. Every single student in her class knew the alphabet, the sounds each letter makes, how to write their name, can recognize numbers 0-10 by sight, all of the basic colors and shapes, etc before they ever walked into a Kindergarden class. In this day and age to say Pre-K is a "luxury" is stupid. If these kids don't have some form of education before Kindergarden, they are already behind and have a harder time catching up. Yes, my mom and grandma spend years teaching me some of those things when I was little, but the percentage of stay-at-home moms now compared to back then is drastically lower. Pre-K has almost become a necessity these days. To say education at any age is a luxury simply is not true. "

Carlton wrote on Sep 5, 2007 12:05 PM:

" Well Farmer City, here we go again. I think most residents are more concerned w/their hole in the wall race track than they are with the welfare of their own children. "

Parent of Blue Ridge Kindergartner wrote on Sep 5, 2007 11:49 AM:

" I didn't say it was the school's responsibility to get my kid to daycare. I said it was the school's responsibility to get my child home safely. "

To: Parent of Blue Ridge Kindergartner wrote on Sep 5, 2007 11:42 AM:

" Sorry, it's not the school's responsibility to get your kid to daycare. "

To: I Feel wrote on Sep 5, 2007 11:37 AM:

Parent of Blue Ridge Kindergartner wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:59 AM:

" Wow, are people judgmental. I moved to "the sticks" to get away from what goes on in "the city". My spouse and I both work - have to or else you would be paying for me to sit and watch soaps. My child rides the bus from our home way out in the sticks, but must go to a daycare provider afterschool because she's too young to be home by herself. She will now have to walk approximately 1 mile to get to the daycare provider's home. That is too far for a child that young to walk alone, or even with a group of kids. There is just too much that can happen. And no sensible person would suggest that a daycare provider load up the babies and toddlers that she watches to pick up several more kids from school. Surely there is some way to compromise on this issue. And yes, it is the school's responsibility to make sure that kids get home safely. "

lol wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:27 AM:

" danger....well if more parents would teach there children safety when it comes to roads we would be better off, and plus walking to school wont hurt them if more students walked to school it would cut down on childhood obesity. "

To: Joe Solution wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:14 AM:

" There were no parent "whiners" - it is all just discussion. And you think that safer ways of getting yong children to the school is not "money spent where it will do (the most) good"? Rememer, you are not the ONLY upstanding citizen that pays taxes (and we assume you do pay property taxes). "

kids need to walk wrote on Sep 5, 2007 10:09 AM:

" I am a mother of 2 FC students. 1 of them is old enough that I remember that he didn't get to ride a bus. He had to walk or get taken, that was when the current policy was inforced. Now I have a child that is in Mansfield school so this wouldn't effect her so much but kids need to walk and excersise these days. It doesn't hurt kids to walk, they get taught from the time they can walk to watch the road and it would teach them direction and discipline. Please, the town of FC isn't so big that kids can't walk if need be. "

Parent wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:52 AM:

" I know daycare providers who either pick kids up themselves from school or who make arrangements with someone to pick up the kids at school and drive them to the daycare provider's home. Apparently, not all the daycare providers are that interested in the safety of the children left in their care. And to "I feel", my children went to Pre-K and I do not feel that it was a luxary. It helped them be ready for school and I would not have had a way to take them out of town for pre-school since there is not a pre-school in Farmer City. "

To: cut her some slack wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:42 AM:

" solution: why don't you pay the $7000 if it is such a low item!!! Personally I want MY tax money spent where it will do the most good, not to make a very small percentage of whiners happy! "

Hey, ??? wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:30 AM:

" Why arn't you at work? Get going!!! "

RE: I FEEL~~ wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:28 AM:

" Pre K a luxury? You're never too young to learn, and it is very necessary for little ones who need that extra help get ready for kindergarten. Your comment is ingorant at best. "

Cut her some slack, , , wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:14 AM:

" she is a daycare provider. Obviously, the parents drop off their kids on the way to work, well before school starts (in this day and age, in many cases, both parents must work). It would be a monumental undertaking for a daycare provider to consider loading up all the kids in her care to "make a delivery" (and unlikely in the best interest of the other children in her care). I know it's not peanuts, but $7000 out of the school budget is a fairly low item (especially if you consider the (4) administrators alone probably cost that district in the neighborhood of $500K annually). Maybe the parents of the 34 kids would consider picking up all or part of that "lost state revenue" (less than $210 per) - still cheap cabfare. Think of solutions people, instead of flapping your gums in judgment. Remember, these are very young children, and expecting them to walk to school is just asking for unnecessary troubles. "

To: ? wrote on Sep 5, 2007 9:13 AM:

" No soap operas for me, I enjoy the court tv shows. Thanks for your interest as to what this stay at home moms does! ;) Ever heard of TIVO? I don't miss a thing! LUCKY ME!!!! "

Re: Dear Belinda~ wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:40 AM:

" So, your parents let you walk across the street at 3, 4 and 5 yrs of age? Seems Belinda has the kids safety first. I'm with her. Sounds like you're being a smart aleck, or you have scary parents. I hope it's the first one, and your immaturaty is'nt wanted here. "

I feel wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:10 AM:

" that Pre K is a luxury.......and not a necessary thing. Perhaps the state and the school and the citizens must realize that the taxpayers can't afford everything. State grants are still taxpayer's monies. "

You have got to be kidding wrote on Sep 5, 2007 8:06 AM:

" Let's see. Let's put the kids in danger and worry about losing money?? Obviously this guy has no kids. How can you stop transporting 34 kids. How are they to get to school? Most day cares don't provide transportation and wow, you are going to make it more difficult for parents to get their children to school. ALL OVER MONEY!!! these kids are 3 and 4 years old. They should not be left to walk alone to school. "

Kent Dorfman wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:46 AM:

" “You’re going to have to give these kids some direction (to get home)” Um... why don't the parents give those children some direction to get home. Why is it up to the school to do all the teaching?? I knew where the school was, the direct route to get there and home, and I knew that Dad and Mom would kill me if I deviated from the path - and I knew this by 1st grade, too. "

Another good reason to leave.. wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:31 AM:

" ....move out of the sticks and in to a bigger city w/ better schools. "

? wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:10 AM:

" you have to be kidding? a child that has to walk to school or a parent that has to get up from the soap opera's and take their kid to school? what has this country come too? "

Dear Belinda wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:07 AM:

" My parents taught me how to cross the street. Why is it the schools job now? "

it appears that the........ wrote on Sep 5, 2007 6:44 AM:

" the day care provider doesn't understand that the districts current policy already prohibits busing students who live within the 1.5 mile limit.........and the district should not be totally responsible for educating students about pedestrian safety.........shouldn't or couldn't the parents teach something to their children rather than burden the taxpayers and school district with the added expense? School is for preparing the youth for a professional, educated life. Common sense needs to be taught at home.....or mabye in a Day Care facility!!!!!!!!! "

Crow wrote on Sep 5, 2007 5:58 AM:

" In response to "Belinda Bozarth, a day-care provider in Farmer City, said that if the policy is approved, the district should be responsible for educating students about pedestrian safety." Uh...it is primarily the parent's responsibility to teach their children about pedestrian safety. Again, a comment indicating that it is the school district's responsibility to raise the community's children. "