Bus eligibility expanded to second grade after safety gap identified

What happened

The School Committee voted 4-0 (Chair Peck abstaining) to add second grade to the existing kindergarten and first-grade busing radius, after identifying a gap in which second-graders were not old enough to be released independently but were not eligible for busing.

Why it matters to families

This is a family-facing operating policy change affecting transportation eligibility and daily logistics for second-grade families district-wide, driven by a documented student safety gap involving street crossings.

The evidence

Minutes state: 'Mrs. Singh made a motion to add second grade to the existing kindergarten and first-grade radius for busing eligibility... The motion passed 4-0... Mr. Peck abstained from the vote,' following discussion of the gap where 'second-grade students cannot be released independently but may not be eligible for bus transportation.'

The source