D70 not allowed to have bus stops in D60 boundaries

Dozens of parents will need to figure out a new way to get their kids to and from school.

The Pueblo City Schools’ Board of Education (District 60) voted that students who live in the city, but go to Pueblo County Schools (District 70) will no longer be allowed to get transported by District 70 buses.

Pueblo County Superintendent Ed Smith said about 150 students will be affected by the District 60 school board’s decision. District 70 has 10 bus routes in District 60 boundaries.

The decision will take effect on June 1. Board members did not comment during the meeting on what led to their vote, and went to executive session following the meeting. Board member Rose Holloway was not present.

When District 60 first raised concerns last December about District 70 having bus stops in District 60 boundaries, Smith said one option would be to move its bus stops outside of District 60’s area. During the special board meeting on Thursday afternoon, however, District 60 unanimously voted that District 70 cannot do that, because it’s against state law, unless District 60 gives its consent.

Tracey Hockman called the District 60 school board’s decision disgusting. “It’s a silly bus ride. Parents send their kids to a school for one reason or another. District 60 should really worry about what they have going on underneath their roofs, not a bus,” she said.

Hockman’s children ride a bus from District 60 boundaries to a District 70 school. Hockman said she’ll find a way to take her kids to whatever school she wants, regardless of what it takes.

Smith told KRDO NewsChannel 13 he’s disappointed by the board’s decision but added that he’s thankful the board considered District 70’s request.