LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Pitch For School Bus Service In The LEUSD

UPDATE: THE LEUSD governing board has supported a plan to provide some busing for students. to read the details.

The following is an unedited letter sent to Patch regarding a proposal from SchoolWheels Direct for school bus service in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District. As a reminder to parents and all interested parties, the LEUSD will hold a special 5 p.m. public meeting July 30 at district headquarters to discuss options for providing limited school bus service. for more info:

In light of the decision by the Lake Elsinore Unified School District (LEUSD) to eliminate school transportation for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year, I am writing to you about a possible solution which your community might be eager to learn about. Families are now burdened with having to get their children to and from school safely. This is not the easiest task, nor the safest to undertake. Many residents seem to be very disheartened with the district’s decision and, as we are finding through our local outreach, many are receptive to hearing about a potential solution benefitting all parties involved.

SchoolWheels Direct provides parents and students a safe and reliable means of transportation to and from school when a district like LEUSD is no longer able to do so. Working with the parents and the district we can offer a viable economic solution that ensures a smooth transition for all parties involved.

As part of a collaborative effort by all the stakeholders we would be willing to consider purchasing the district’s assets including a school bus fleet that will now not be utilized in addition to possibly renting current transportation facilities. This structure would provide a cash infusion to the district which could then potentially be allocated toward subsidizing our Direct Pay program in some capacity.

SchoolWheels Direct would welcome the opportunity to meet with parents, the district and its School Board Members to discuss how we might be able to work together to find a viable economic solution for all parties involved allowing kids to be transported by the safest means available to school each and every day in the upcoming school year and beyond. --Thomas Yessman, SchoolWheels Direct; 908.337.6806, info@schoolwheels.com