Dunedin Leaders to Challenge Pinellas Schools on Safety

Dunedin taxpayers could be on the hook to shell out an extra $56,000 a year because the Pinellas County School Board refuses to bus students across State Road 580.

The school district's plan to stop busing about 50 elementary students deemed close enough to walk seems to defy common sense and undermine public safety, commissioners said, picking it apart during a Jan. 10 meeting at City Hall.

Dunedin leaders are expected to formally oppose the school district's plan on Thursday.

The move would save the Pinellas School Board about $28,000 a year — the cost of one bus.

After they vowed to "fight the fight" for roughly 50 San Jose Elementary students who would be forced to either find alternate transportation or cross one of Dunedin's busiest five-lane intersections, where Skinner Boulevard, Main Street and Bass Boulevard converge.

Dunedin taxpayers would also take an unplanned punch, to the tune of about $24,600 a year for three crossing guards or up to $56,000 a year to contract bus services, plus a one-time $10,000 slap for safety improvements at the intersection.

The school district says it is making the change to correct a computer interpretation error on its student 2-mile walk-zone map. 

Although the school is in the same place, district software is now using another student drop-off point from which to calculate the walk zone.

As asked by commissioners in the Jan. 10 meeting, City Attorney Tom Trask drafted a resolution requesting the school board "reconsider its decision to cease busing elementary students to San Jose Elementary and confirm that safety of the school children being its utmost concern."

Previous Coverage:

• Commissioners' Candid School Bus Comments Caught on Camera
• City 'Fights' for Elementary Students Crossing State Road 580
• Students' Walk to San Jose Elementary Could Cross Five-Lane Highway