LEWES, Del. - Parents in the Lewes Crossing neighborhood are raising concerns about what they describe as an "extremely long bus route" to and from Lewes Elementary School.
According to the transportation portal, pick-up time is scheduled for 7:27 a.m., even though classes start at 8:55 a.m., about 90 minutes later. Drop-off is scheduled for 4:59 p.m.
Lisa Cusick, who has a seven-year-old daughter, says it's not right.
"We've just had Coastal Club added to Lewes Elementary, so I was hoping that we would be on their bus route because we're right before them," Cusick said. "Unfortunately, we're on a different route, and they have at least an hour less time on the bus ride than us, so I'm just not sure why we're not on that route," Cusick continued.
Parents say their children have had long bus rides for the past two years. Last year, pick-up was 7:45 a.m., with drop-off at 4:45 p.m. They find it "unreasonable" that even more time has been added this year.
The Cape Henlopen School District sent CoastTV News a statement explaining the routing process.
"The routing process is managed by a system called VEO Trans. This system considers various factors, including speed limits and students' specific locations, to determine the optimal routes. Once the information is plotted in the system, we carefully review and make adjustments as necessary," the statement reads. "We understand the importance of minimizing students' ride times and continuously work to shorten these routes whenever possible. Ultimately, our goal is to provide the safest and most efficient transportation possible for all students and we are committed to ensuring the safety of our students during their bus rides."
Shelly Vainberg, whose daughter will be in first grade this school year, shared one of her biggest concerns about the current route.
"It's definitely going to affect our daughter's ability for learning and for her ability to even just have energy and pay attention in class. So I'm really concerned about how this can affect her learning," Vainberg said.
Cusick also noted that her daughter has reported several children experiencing bathroom accidents and others falling asleep during the bus rides.
"I would like them to look at the transportation since the area is growing and make it make sense," Cusick said. "My daughter gets picked up here, and then she passes the elementary school, and then they go right outside Cape Henlopen to pick up kids, so I don't know why my daughter drives all around town. There's got to be a better way," Cusick continued.
Parents also worry about their children having a nine-and-a-half-hour school day, including the bus ride.
"When we also raised the question, 'Can we have the policy of first pick up equals the first drop off,' the response was no because other students would have to stay on the bus for an extra 10 to 15 minutes longer," Vainberg said. "I don't understand why it's fair for those children not to have to stay on the bus longer, but our children need to do an hour and a half bus ride each way," Vainberg continued.
Parents hope the pick-up and drop-off times for their kids change soon.