SPANISH FORK — About a dozen upset bus drivers, along with parents of special needs children, showed up Wednesday night to give the Nebo School Board an earful during the meeting's public comment session.
The group is distraught about Nebo School District's proposed plan to rearrange the drivers' bus routes. They say certain bus drivers are experts at dangerous routes and should remain on those routes. Further, switching drivers would upset the students — mainly those with special needs.
District officials say the plan would save the district money and accommodate new schools being built. Every route could be changed. Bus drivers would be able to choose a route based on seniority. The plan would be implemented by this fall.
"Things don't stay the same. Things change," Superintendent Chris Sorensen said.
But some bus drivers disagree with the superintendent, saying sometimes change is
actually a dangerous thing.
Carol Marziale, who has driven bus for Nebo district for 16 years, said a hazardous- or dangerous-route bus driver with long experience has "insight and knowledge of how to operate the bus safely on severe road conditions, weather conditions and traffic abnormalities."
Some of the scary routes are up Spanish Fork Canyon in the Birdseye area and in the Woodland Hills area, the bus drivers said.
Further, regular bus drivers know the students and the area. They know the danger signs, Marziale said.
"These bus drivers are guardians and neighborhood watch caretakers," she said.
Two mothers of special needs children addressed the board: Alira Orwin and Kim Wagstaff. They said some of the special needs children won't even get on the bus if they have a new driver.
"You need to think this through," Orwin said. "These children need stability."
Richelle Adams, who has driven bus in Nebo for 10 years, said she believes it's fine to change the routes in the area of the new schools.
"But why do we have to change all the routes?" she said. "Isn't there another way?"
Other bus drivers, after hearing the superintendent's response, said they were okay with changing the routes.
"We are professionals. We should be able to drive wherever you put us," driver Susan Ogden said. She has driven bus for Nebo district for 10 years.
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