Every year in the early summer before the start of the new school year, Rockdale Independent School District officials get together to study bus routes and make any changes they deem necessary.
One route change that moved a school bus stop on CR 412 off of FM 487 to a spot on 487 rankled a district resident.
Julie Zientek decided to make her disapproval of the change known to the district.
“I have been fighting this since September 2020. In September and October, we spent time talking to the superintendent, transportation director, county judge and TxDOT,” Zientek said.
She made a presentation during the public comments portion of the November school board meeting.
At that time she pointed out the dangers of having the bus stop at a curve on 487.
“We have gone from a safe, open, slow traffic bus stop to a blind curve on a busy, high-traffic road,” she said. “How is this safer for these children?”
The board is not able to address citizens' comments during the meetings.
Assistant Superintendent Pam Kaufmann explained to The Rockdale Reporter why the decision was initially made.
“As part of our COVID safety measures, we needed to reduce the number of students on each of our buses to allow for more distancing and better sanitation,” she wrote in an email. “We did this by staggering the start times with elementary and intermediate campuses coming earlier and secondary starting later. In order for the buses to get through the routes twice and get all students to school on time, we had to consolidate some of the bus stops, eliminating some of the stops that were further off the main roads.
She said the district appreciated Zientek’s concerns.
“Mrs. Zientek's concerns alerted us to a need for additional safety measures. We are always appreciative when parents share their concerns. While we are not always able to comply with all their requests, Rockdale ISD school board and administrators listen to and take their concerns into consideration when we make future decisions,” Kaufmann said. “We realize parents often have different perspectives on situations so we continue to encourage parents and community members to communicate concerns with us directly.”
Toward that end recently two warning signs with flashing lights were placed on FM 487, east and west of its intersection with CR 412.
“In order to address safety concerns raised as a result of these changes, Dr. Denise Monzingo contacted Judge Steve Young to request assistance. Judge Young contacted TxDOT and they installed the warning sign to alert motorists.”
That has not appeased Zientek as far as the bus route goes.
“This is set in stone and cannot be amended?” Zientek said in a letter to The Reporter. “In their meetings, they take time to amend a word or two on their policies, but cannot amend this. I have sat through school board meeting after school board meeting and listened to them pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Well, I say not well done; my children are still in danger.”
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