D-49 Bus Service Changes Have Some Parents Concerned

By Jon Karroll

COLORADO SPRINGS – Some parents in Falcon School District 49 say budget cuts are putting their kids in a dangerous situation.

Carolyn Winter and Charlene Sipilovic both have children who will attend Skyview Middle School in the fall. They thought their kids would be riding the bus, until D-49 sent home a letter saying they were in the no bus service zone. “I don’t want them to make that walk, I feel it’s very dangerous” says Winter.

The change came about when the district used a new mapping program to chart its bus routes. A district employee even drove the routes to confirm the mileage before the change was announced. D-49 Chief Operating Office Paul McCarty says the new map showed a number of houses inside the district’s two-mile walk zone. The change affects an estimated 209-students. The district says crossing guards will be in place on busy Stetson Hills Boulevard. The change means dropping three bus routes, which will save the district some money. “I think they need to leave their bus service in place and cut expenses in other places” says Sipilovic.

Parents still have two chances to comment on the change. The district’s Transportation Advisory Committee meets May 11th and the Board meets on May 14th.