Council Asked To Aid Schools' Safety Busing

Statiírg the Ann Arbor School District may have to drop its safety busing program for Arbor Park children, a representative of that south-side area last night called for city action to resolve the problem. Mrs. Sandra A. Hermann, speaking on behalf of the Arbor Park Women's Associaiton, said the state penalizes school districts which transport children within the city limits and said if this is done here the safety busing program may have to be dissolved. Second Ward Councilman Robert G. Faber said he has been in contact with representatives in the State Legislature and said efforts are being made to come up with a new plan which would elimínate this penalty. (School district officials said this morning that while it is true that the district is liable for state financial penalties for any students transported within the city, this particular factor has not been emphasized as a determinant with respect to continuing the safety busing program The district's overall financial picture is being taken into consideration, it was pointed out.) Mrs. Hermann said, "Everyone in this community including Mr. Smokler (the developer of Arbor Park), the City cil and the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority should join the school board in their concern not only for the Arbor Park children but for all the other children faced with this same problem." She said the pupil safety problem is community-wide. "Therefore, I strongly urge you on their (children's) behalf to act immediately with sympathy and responsibility to correct this inequity." "It is a recognized fact that the Board of Education would not like to be in the busing business," she said. "However, seeing the crucial need for such a service, it was decided that a step such as 'they have taken was necessary as a sign of good faith." Mrs. Hermann said it was hoped other parts of the community would become as concerned and willing to offer their help. "Unfortunately, this has not been the case." Arbor Park children are city school children. Arbor Park was annexed to the city three years ago. It's unfortunate that the city has not shouldered more of the responsibility involved with the problems created by our annexation," she said. Safety busing is the practice of busing children to avoid hazards they would encounter if they walked to school, despite the fact they are not eligible for busing under the general criteria used.