Parents in the Ramona Unified School District in San Diego County are voicing concerns after school bus route consolidations have led to some students facing extended walks home, particularly during a recent heatwave. The district attributes the changes to an ongoing bus driver shortage.
One sixth-grader's bus stop was eliminated, resulting in a 3.5-mile walk home. His father, Bud Kaelin, stated that officials informed him the previous stop was unsafe but did not permit his son to use an alternative stop. Kaelin expressed worry about the safety of his son walking such a distance in the heat, fearing potential heat exhaustion and confusion while crossing streets.
According to district policy, middle and high school students must reside more than 2.5 miles from school, measured “as the crow flies,” to qualify for bus transportation. Parents argue that this straight-line measurement does not accurately reflect the actual walking routes students must take. "As the crow flies is, you know, pretty, pretty vague. And yeah our kids don’t fly… They walk,” said parent Mary Emily.
Kaelin has resorted to leaving his construction job early to pick up his son, a situation he believes has jeopardized his employment. Another parent, Emily, reported that her 15-year-old daughter now faces approximately a 0.5-mile walk to the nearest bus stop after a route on Hope Street was eliminated.
Ramona Unified communicated to families that route consolidation was a necessary measure to maintain transportation services for the maximum number of students possible amidst the driver shortage. The district stated these changes were the safest way to continue providing transportation.
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