Latest news with #PRZ
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Parents persuade Rutherford school board to rescind rule to stop busing for some students
Rutherford County school officials pleased parents May 7 by rescinding a recent decision to stop busing students living close to school campuses. The unanimous Board of Education followed the recommendation of Schools Director Jimmy Sullivan to rescind the previous April 24 decision in a 4-3 vote to review and study the issue. The majority board previously aimed to save $3 million by establishing Parent Responsibility Zones (PRZ) for parent-transportation by the August start of the next school year for able-bodied students and family members living within a mile radius of schools for grades K-5 and 1.5 miles for grades 6-12. Prior to rescinding, the board heard Lascassas Elementary School mother Elizabeth Adkins and three other parents speak in opposition to the PRZ policy during the public comment part of the meeting. "In our county, many students who live within the PRZ would be forced to walk along roads with 55 to 65 mph speed limits (on) roads with no sidewalks, no crosswalks," Adkins said. PRZ issue: Rutherford schools director recommends reversing budget cuts for bus service to nearby campuses Adkins mentioned the traffic concerns of many drivers ignoring the speed limits near her child's school on state Route 96 (Lascassas Pike) northeast of Murfreesboro. "My daughter is 5-years-old," Adkins said in a tearful tone. "She weighs 35 pounds. That's who this policy is asking to walk to school along three dangerous roads." Adkins also told the school officials that many families do not have the option to drive their children to nearby schools because the parents are "working jobs that don't allow them to come and go freely." "Expecting every family to manage this without transportation support is unrealistic and unfair," Adkins told the school officials. 'We are banished': Rutherford schools book banning upsets free speech advocates School father Mike Felts told the board that Parent Responsibility Zones disproportionately affect low-income families. "Many parents work multiple jobs, lack reliable transportation or simply can't afford to take time off during school hours," Felts said. "Expecting them to meet additional requirements within a defined geographic area unfairly punishes those already stretched thin." Felts urged the school officials not to punish families for circumstances they can't control. "Instead, let's invest in solutions, like flexible school bus routes, expanded before- and after-care, and better communication between schools and families," Felts said. "That's how we create a district that truly works for all children." School free speech issue: ACLU files First Amendment lawsuit against Rutherford school board for book bans Lascassas Elementary Parent Teacher Organization President Ashley Hale also urged the board to reconsider the PRZ policy to keep children from walking to school on high-traffic roads with high speed limits. "We also cannot ignore the threat of child predators," said Hale, a mother of two students at Lascassas Elementary. "For some of our youngest students, children as young as 5, it would be asked of some of them to be alone, vulnerable and unprotected. These are not hypothetical risks. This is not the world our parents grew up in. These are known dangers. And they are preventable." 'Damage is already done': Rutherford school board rescinds resolution supporting border closure La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole, who's also a school father, also spoke in opposition to the PRZ policy that he said "blindsided" families with an unplanned decision. He urged the school officials to complete a comprehensive study before implementing any possible revised PRC policy. Cole also said the PRZ previously approved would have impacted 80% of the 7,000 homes in the still-growing Lake Forest Estates development in La Vergne. "Keeping our students safe should be the priority − not just looking to cut costs," Cole said. 'We're not all treated the same': County Schools building plans annoy La Vergne leaders The board previously voted 4-3 April 24 for the PRZ policy with tan Vaught, Katie Darby, Butch Vaughn and chairwoman Claire Maxwell in the majority. Board members Tammy Sharp, vice chairwoman Frances Rosales and Caleb Tidwell opposed. The six present board members May 7 rescinded the previous decision. Vaught was absent. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Parents persuade Rutherford board to rescind PRZ rule to stop busing
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Director of Rutherford County Schools says there will be no strike, addresses some parent concerns over safety
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Changes have come to Rutherford County's Parent Responsibility Zone and to the proposed bus strike. The Rutherford County Board of Education decided to eliminate some bus routes for students who lived near their schools last week in an attempt to fill a $20 million budget hole. The elimination of about 44 bus routes would have saved the district about $3 million. PREVIOUS: Rutherford County Schools cuts bus routes, considers tax for funding However, one father disagreed with the decision. Chuck Isbell's son, Nate, was killed almost five years ago by a distracted driver while Nate was out trick-or-treating. The Mayor of La Vergne had also pushed for the school board to rescind the vote. 'Hearing about this and seeing all this, it actually makes me sick to my stomach thinking about kids having to walk or find alternate means to get to school,' concerned resident Chuck Isbell said. However, on Tuesday, a video from Dr. Jimmy Sullivan — director of schools — said that the PRZ would be tabled for a year. Sullivan said that he wanted to address some 'top of mind' issues. 'Please know that student safety is always my top priority and I am confident that we will find a solution that meets the needs of the district and also our families,' Sullivan said. Isbell had written a four-page letter to school board members expressing concerns about speeding cars, crime, severe weather, wildlife, and a lack of sidewalks. 'Less than 10% of roads here have sidewalks, and the average speed limit on residential streets is 40 MPH,' Isbell said in his letter. 'These roads are not designed for people to walk on, let alone kids trying to get to school.' Sullivan's video also addressed a letter from the Rutherford County Bus Contractors Organization that said some drivers would have been 'compelled to cease' driving on Thursday if the district did not negotiate with them for a greater pay increase. 'We heard [Tuesday] from an attorney representing some of the bus contractors group that they are not planning to strike later this week as some had previously announced,' Sullivan said. 'We are hopeful that any strikes will be limited, and we anticipate the majority of our contractors continue operating their routes throughout the school year.' RELATED: Rutherford County bus drivers 'compelled to cease' driving May 1 if school board doesn't return to negotiating table Not every bus contractor within the county had planned to strike. The owner of Gossett Bus Lines, which operates about 13 routes in the county, said the strike would have created more conflict. 'This should not expand out into the parents, the schools and the children,' owner of Gossett Bus Line, Cynthia Gossett, said. 'I do not feel that those people should suffer because we are not getting exactly what was asked for.' Sullivan said that the district intends to keep parents informed throughout the process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rutherford County considers cutting school bus service for some families living close to campuses
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — While the Rutherford County School Board negotiates a new contract with its bus drivers, board members are considering eliminating school bus transportation for some families who live close to campuses. If the idea moves forward, students within what's called a 'Parent Responsibility Zone' (PRZ) would need to walk or get a ride to school. The board considered PRZs last year, but the proposal wasn't implemented. Rutherford County parent Erik Snyder told News 2 in 2024 the PRZ proposal gave him concerns over increased traffic and pedestrian safety. Metro Nashville Public Schools make changes to DEI program following Trump's executive order However, some board members have argued that PRZs could address some inefficiencies in their current system. According to the school district, a PRZ with a 1-mile radius would eliminate the need for 15 school buses, saving the district more than $1 million. 'I'm not going to name the school, but you know the school that I'm talking about that has an apartment complex on the premises and they're busing the children across the parking lot,' Rutherford County School Board Member Tammy Sharp said in a work session on Tuesday, April 22. Director of Schools Dr. James Sullivan said schools in higher density areas — like Barfield, Blackman, La Vergne, and Smyrna — would feel the most impact of PRZs. 'We are running out of room': Lebanon Special School District evaluating ways to tackle growth Board members are expected to continue this discussion at their next meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
