PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aiming to simplify a logistical challenge, Maine School Administrative District 1 has instituted new drop-off policy for students.
On Feb. 14, the MSAD 1 board of directors approved a new busing policy addressing the issue of students being picked up and dropped off at varying locations throughout the week, said superintendent Brian Carpenter.
“We had to change the policy so that there’s a definitive pickup and drop off point for students that’s consistent throughout the week,” Carpenter said. “We’re not going to drop off at five different places for five different days.”
Until the new policy, students and their parents could request to be dropped off at multiple locations, with changes on short notice. It was not uncommon for some students to go to a different location each day of the week, including places such as the mall, Carpenter said.
“It really wreaks havoc with the busing. Principals have to deal with notes every day taking kids to different places.”
Under the new policy, buses will still take students to different locations, but the locations must be on a consistent weekly schedule and must be approved by school officials.
Parents will now need to submit a written request for alternate pickup and dropoff locations, and the district’s transportation director will approve the locations if they are on an established route.
Carpenter added that the district will grant exceptions for circumstances upon parental request.
“I know some people work crazy schedules, but dropping kids off at the mall or someplace like that is not really a dropoff,” Carpenter said.
MSAD 1 spends about $2.2 million a year on transportation, and Carpenter said he expects the new policy to reduce that.
