Parents show a united front in protesting busing cuts

A large crowd, including children with signs, attended Tuesday's Menifee Union School District meeting. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

They gathered more than 1,300 signatures on a petition, exchanged multiple emails to plan their arguments, even held a meeting earlier this week to discuss their strategy.

It remains to be seen whether their protests will bring about change, but a large group of parents opposed to school busing cuts in Menifee showed their preparation, unity and emotion to Menifee Union School District board members and administration on Tuesday.

Parents throughout the city have voiced their displeasure on social media since July 12, when MUSD officials announced that busing would be eliminated for all but special education students for the coming school year. Yet it was a small group of parents who have formed an unofficial committee that coordinated both a protest of about 20 parents and students outside the district office before the meeting and arguments against the district's decision during the meeting.

Before the public comments section of the meeting, board members heard a presentation on the 2017-18 MUSD budget by Ambur Borth, assistant superintendent of business services. In a detailed Power Point presentation lasting nearly 40 minutes, Borth cited a lack of funding from the state, saying MUSD receives $4.4 million less than the average school district. She warned that the district could receive a negative certification from the county if district reserves fall below the state-required 3 percent (it is projected to be 5.56 percent over the next year). That, she said, would result in a loss of local control of the district.

From left: MUSD Superintendent Dr. Steve Kennedy, board president Bob O'Donnell, board member Ron Ulibarri.

Borth also presented information showing how certain expenditures -- such as the new $17 million district headquarters -- were legally required to be spent for previously approved allocations and thus could not be used for transportation. In her presentation about the transportation budget, she pointed to an annual cost increase of 3 percent and to last year's cost of more than $2 million for bus service through a contract with the Hemet Unified School District. The approved cuts in busing, she said, would result in a $700,000 savings.

Those arguments did not change the opinions of the nine parents who later addressed the board -- especially the first speaker, Greg Shaw.

Shaw (right), a single parent and Iraq war veteran who works at Camp Pendleton, has a son who attends Oak Meadows Elementary School and a son who attends Bell Mountain Middle School. Given extra time donated by other parents, he used his allotted 12 minutes in a detailed presentation that brought the crowd to its feet.

Shaw began by passing out copies of a book on ethical leadership to each board member before addressing key areas of concern, including the short notice given parents to make alternate plans for transportation. He quoted from the district's code of ethics about giving parents and students "timely notice" on major issues.

"The district was notified in January of the bus costs," Shaw said. "This is not new information. In March, Ms. Borth took over from her predecessor, and that information was lost in the translation of the transcript."

Citing from minutes of previous board meetings, Shaw said it appeared that action leading up to the July busing cuts was pushed through quietly a meetings in May and June with no discussion on the issue.

"It was adopted on June 27," Shaw said. "I didn't hear anything about it at that time. I wasn't notified. This is now six months after you guys knew about this."

Shaw then discussed the district's previously addressed options in dealing with the issue, including increasing the walk path (acceptable walking distance to school) to 2.5 miles for elementary school students and 3 miles for middle school students.

"I ask all of you up there on that panel, when was the last time you walked six miles in a day with a backpack on your back when it's 100 degrees outside?" Shaw said, prompting applause from the crowd.

"We are above the 3 percent reserve -- $2.5 million above it," Shaw said. "So we have the money and we can fix that in the long term via funding if you guys get them (the parents) involved."

Shaw also acknowledged a board member's statement that transportation is not a right, adding that "a $226,000 per year salary with 6 percent annual increase is not a right. A 100 percent medical coverage plan costing $20,669.40 annually is not a right. Board members' $3,000 stipends with 100 percent medical coverage is not a right," referring to a recent contract offer to superintendent Steve Kennedy and compensation to board members.

Shaw was followed by parents who spoke of the hardships their children would face in walking on rural roads to school. Brenden Roscoe said he lives in French Valley, 11 miles from Bell Mountain Middle School, and relies on bus transportation for his daughters. Annamarie Rivera said she lives four miles from Menifee Valley Middle School, has only one car in the family and is concerned about "scalpers" online who are offering to drive children to school for $60 per child.

The final speaker was Ann Limbourne (left), who told board members she works, her daughter and son-in-law work, and she has three grandchildren.

"My grandson tried to ride his bike to school as a test," she said, breaking into tears. "He made it 2.8 miles and he was winded. He said he couldn't do it.

"He can't do it. We can't do it. You guys have got to do something to provide transportation for these kids."

In an interview after the meeting, Kennedy said he continues to seek ways to alleviate the burden on parents, including continuing to talk with Hemet Unified School District officials about busing costs and the possibility of providing busing for a fee paid by parents, as has occurred in the past.

"I've been in contact with a number of districts that were faced with this," Kennedy said. "What did they do? Is it a matter of helping to organize car pools or is there a service we can utilize? I'm pulling my hair out trying to do some other things to help our folks. I hear them loud and clear. I feel really, really bad.

"I'm going to plead with Hemet to see what their concerns are. If they can generate some ridership, wouldn't they want the business? But it's a whole other organization and I can onlyt ask them."

Classes in he Menifee Union School District begin Aug. 14. To view the entire discussion, which was broadcast live on Facebook, visit the Menifee 24/7 Facebook page.

Students hold up protest signs outside the Menifee Union School District office.