The 2018-19 school year began with a stressful and uncertain new rule,  the children who attend Indian Crest Middle School were told they need to walk to school and buses will no longer be provided.  This was done in effort to reduce costs and save for the budget.  Although Souderton Area School District prefers to save money, the safety of our children is at risk. 

The following safety concerns are the reason the district needs to return busing:

• Kids cross main streets, including Route 113, where there is no longer a crossing guard.  
• Excessive speeding on Main Street, Broad Street, and Reliance Road, which is never enforced by local police
• It is still dark during the fall and winter when they have to leave at as early as 6:50 am as the walk takes 25-30 minutes for some students
• The sidewalk aren't shoveled after snow and the children are forced to walk in the street or through snow on sidewalks. The borough rule is 24 hours after storm ceases

The school district was unaware of the missing crossing guard.  Once it was brought to their attention,  Souderton Police have vowed to  "monitor the situation" however the officer conducting the audit was parked back in the Univest parking lot and he did not have complete view of Route 113.  This supposed audit was only one morning.  While our kids were walking to and from school, the Souderton Police were no where to be found.  

Since the safety of the children in this district is not of importance to you, we are insisting you reinstate busing for all Indian Crest students in the same perimeters as previous years.  It is time Souderton Area School District is accountable and stop being negligent before a child is seriously injured or worse! 

Our children matter to us, they should matter to you too!

Give our kids busing and put their safety over money!

Sincerely,

Parents of Souderton