LIVERMORE FALLS – Parents of SAD 36 students have been notified that things will be different this year, as far as bus transportation is concerned.

A letter sent to parents July 30, advised them, “Students shall ride only assigned buses” and that, “At the close of school they shall be transported only to the original pick-up point.”

The policy adds that students shall not be permitted to disembark at other points or to ride other buses.

In the correspondence, Superintendent Terry Despres explains that the policy needs to be strictly followed to meet its purpose for providing safe conditions that all students are delivered home as state law requires.

“In light of current state and national events, the district will enforce this policy – Child Safety Comes First,” Despres wrote.

He added that he was making the new policy known early so that parents could prepare for the change and make the needed arrangements.

“Some may find this difficult, however, in light of consistency and fairness to support child safety rules, MSAD 36 finds it necessary to strictly abide by the intent of this policy,” he noted in closing.

In addition, the policy states that children may be required to walk a reasonable distance to a scheduled bus stop, that bus drivers are to pick up only at scheduled stops and that they shall not admit students not assigned to the particular bus.

The policy, which covers transportation services for both walkers and riders, also reinforces walking policies. Under these, a student in kindergarten through grade 3, may be required to walk up to of a mile to school, students in Grades 4-8 may walk 1 mile, and high schoolers may walk 1 miles.

Exceptions can be made to the policy for students having special needs or in circumstances regarding undue and/or excessive hazard. The district will provide transportation only for resident students.

An unidentified parent at Thursday night’s board meeting objected to the policy. “I don’t think it (one pick-up and one drop-off) will work,” she told school officials.

Despres explained there are safety issues about where children are dropped off. He spoke about the many calls received during the day to make changes in where children are left, so many, in fact, that sometimes the drivers get confused.

“There are irresponsible parents,” she admitted. “But, this is punishing everyone,” the complainant added.

Despres assured her the policy would be discussed at the next board meeting on Aug. 28.

He added that the district’s entire transportation system would be investigated this year, especially the possibility of having all students picked up in one run. When high school students go on an early bus, a lot of younger ones are being left alone, he noted.