SOUTH WHIDBEY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Bus rule leaves kids hungry, parents angry [VIDEO] (SWR)

Kira Erickson reports for the South Whidbey Record from the South Whidbey School District board meeting on Wed., Apr. 26, 2023.

Student athletes, coaches and parents of the South Whidbey School District are speaking out against a rule that prohibits school bus drivers from stopping for food or bathroom breaks on the way home from team sporting events.

Thanks to their diligence, there could be change ahead, starting in the new school year.

They Said It

The rule, which Superintendent Jo Moccia has made clear is an administrative decision and not a school board policy, originated during the COVID-19 pandemic when bus drivers did not make any stops in order to limit the spread of the virus.

…Though Moccia had recently met with students and coaches about the issue, many were puzzled by her claim that it would cost the district $20,000 for bus drivers to make one-hour stops for all 174 athletic and field trips in a school year while being paid overtime at $55 an hour…

Earlier in the meeting, [Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Dan] Poolman reported that the school district needs to reduce its budget by 10%. Board Member Andrea Downs said while she understood that the money saved from eliminating bus stops for food may seem insignificant, she supports any decision that keeps any amount of teaching staff.

In a statement to The South Whidbey Record, Moccia said she heard “loud and clear” from the students that the practice of stopping for food needs to resume. The athletic director, coaches and principals will work together to make recommendations to reduce – or perhaps fundraise to offset – expenses for the $450,000 athletic budget in other ways this spring in preparation for the next school year in order to meet budgetary goals, she said.

On the Ballot in November 2023