Deer Park School District Transportation staff stand by to greet community members at the Open House event, prepared to discuss routes and address inquiries.
The Deer Park School District held its first Transportation Open House. Families met bus drivers, and kids explored buses, all to ensure a smooth start to school, which began last Wednesday. The staff at the bus garage is already busy with new routes underway.
The first Transportation Open House was held at the Deer Park School District’s Bus Garage right before school started to help families prepare for the new school year. This event allowed parents, students, and community members to meet the bus drivers and support staff responsible for the transportation of Deer Park’s school students. Everyone was welcomed in with smiles and directions to their route’s bus driver. With 800 to 1,000 kids riding buses across 175 square miles daily, this open house fostered better communication and understanding between parents and the transportation team. Deer Park School District Superintendent Alexa Allman and Transportation Supervisor Kerri Leliefeld were on hand to answer questions and welcome guests into the bus garage. Most of the students could be found touring buses, meeting their bus drivers, and around the cookie and water table. Leliefeld hopes that through this first-time event, the community can see the Bus Drivers as individuals and build a connection with them.
Changes To Transportation
This year, an increase in homes in the area as well as a need for more drivers, prompted a review of routes. A change related to younger children within walking distance of their schools was particularly impacted by a reduction in bus stops in some areas. Frequent bus stops near schools are problematic because they cause additional traffic congestion during peak transportation times. To compensate for reduced bus stops, more crossing guards have been added within the walking area.
According to Washington State laws, school districts are required to follow specific guidelines when determining transportation routes within the one-mile walk zone. The law mandates that districts define walk areas for each school and involve key stakeholders, such as parents, school administrators, law enforcement, traffic engineers, and public health advocates, in the decision-making process. Leliefeld explained that the district did just that when working out the new route changes.
Districts are also required to identify safe walking routes from neighborhoods to elementary schools and review these routes regularly, or when conditions change. In cases where hazardous conditions exist within the one-mile walk zone, districts may provide transportation services, but they must document the reasons for doing so if they seek state funding. While districts have the option to offer bus services within the walk area, students who receive transportation in these zones are not eligible for state funding unless specific safety concerns have been documented and reported properly.
Transportation Supervisor Kerri Leliefeld emphasized that while route changes were necessary due to increased student numbers, the priority remains student safety and minimizing stress for families.
Key Procedures To Keep In Mind
Bus Passes: If your child needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop, a bus pass from the school office is required. Please call the school to arrange this. Notes from parents, guardians, or texts on your child’s phone will not be accepted by the driver. Bus drivers are not allowed to make exceptions.
Bus Changes: Notify the bus garage by noon that day if there are any changes to your child’s usual bus arrangements. This helps them ensure that all students are on the correct bus and stay safe.
Out-of-District Students: If your child is an out-of-district student, please call the bus garage in advance to check if space is available on the bus. Priority is given to in-district students.
Kindergarteners: A parent or guardian must meet kindergarten students at the bus stop unless a note is on file allowing the student to walk with an older sibling, neighbor, or another adult. This note should be given to the bus driver or school office.
Preschoolers: Preschoolers must be met by an adult at the bus stop. Notes allowing them to walk with siblings or other children will not be accepted.
Leliefeld does not want families to hesitate to call if they have concerns about their child riding the bus; the phone number for the bus garage is (509) 464-5530. They are available to answer questions between 8:30am to 2pm. The hours 7am to 8am and 2:30pm to 4pm are their busiest times, and they suggest avoiding calling during those times. They will do their best to return your calls and emails promptly. You can also email Kerri Leliefeld at [email protected].
Sources:
- Deer Park School District. Deer Park District Transportation Information for School Bus Riders! Tri-Fold brochure provided by Kerri Leliefeld.
- Deer Park District Transportation. Letter to Parents From Kerri Leliefeld, Transportation Supervisor.
- Leliefeld, Kerri. Personal interview. August 26th, 2024.
- Washington State Legislature. “WAC 392-141-340 Determination of the walk area.” Washington State Legislature, App.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=392-141-340. Accessed August 3rd 2024.
