On-base school bus service to end May 23 Published May 13, 2014 GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Team Grand Forks, The Air Force faced many challenges in 2013 as a result of Congressionally-levied budget constraints and sequestration. Due to these budget constraints, Grand Forks Air Force Base had to furlough civilian personnel and make cuts to morale and welfare activities to maintain readiness. Furthermore, the Air Force made a decision to reduce the overall force structure by 25,000 Airmen and is looking at cuts to weapons systems in an effort to preserve readiness. In light of these budget challenges, the 319th Air Base Wing Financial Management Board met on April 25, 2014, to consider wing priorities and align limited funds to ensure its ability to meet core mission requirements. The Financial Management Board considered all budget expenditures, evaluating each as it relates to mission capability. After careful consideration and debate, the committee voted to no longer exercise the option for school bus services for Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School and Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School on Grand Forks AFB. The base's main objective is to ensure our students are safe in transit to and from school and the educational experience continues to be of the highest quality. A transition committee comprised of representatives from the base, the school liaison's office, Balfour Beatty and school administrator will explore ways and means to maximize the safety of students for the upcoming school year. For more information please contact the School Liaison Officer at 701-747-4484. Questions and Answers: Q1. When will the bussing services cease on GFAFB? A1. The last day for bussing services to both on base schools and the youth center will be May 23, 2014. Q2. Why was the decision made to cancel the school bus contract? A2. The decision was made in order to align limited funding with wing priorities designed to meet Air Force core mission requirements. Sequestration required the federal government to make significant cuts to the budget and make tough choices about funding. As an example, last year, we furloughed civilian employees and over the next few years we're reducing the size of the Air Force by 25,000 Airmen to maintain readiness. There is no guarantee that sequestration-level funding will stop over the next 10 years which requires tough decisions to be made now to preserve readiness in key mission areas. Q3. For the 2014-2015 school year, when will I be able to drop off my child at school? A3. The 2014-2015 school year will start on Sept. 2, 2014 and K-8 grade will be located in Nathan Twining Elementary/Middle School. School hours will be 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. for all grades. You will be able to drop off your student starting at 8 a.m. If your child will be eating breakfast at school, you will be able to drop them off starting at 7:30 a.m. Q4. What other options are there for transportation to school? A4. A. Parent Information Network - As a parent you can provide your contact/address information to the school and they will compile a list of families who live in your neighborhood that would like to carpool. Carpooling reduces the amount of traffic at the school and relieves you of being the sole responsible person in getting your student(s) to school. More information will be forthcoming from Twining school and the school liaison office. B. Drive your child - With only one school on base, it will be more convenient to get your student(s) to school. This option will produce more traffic congestion, so planning your route and allowing enough time to get to school is important. C. Walk -With the ever-changing weather conditions in North Dakota, walking may not be appropriate every day of the school year (for appropriate cold weather gear, please refer to the Twining parent handbook) but it can be a great way for your child to get exercise and spend time outside when the weather permits. Parents can talk with neighbors and friends and create a "walking school bus". This is a group of kids who walk together each day. Parents can assign an older student to supervise the group or take turns themselves walking kids to school. D. Ride Bike - Students may also choose to ride their bikes to school. Grand Forks Public Schools' district policy states that students in 3rd grade and above may ride unsupervised. If student(s) are supervised by an adult, then any grade level may ride their bike to school. The Safe Kids Coalition recommends no bike riding to school before grade 3. Q5. What is being done to ensure the school zone is safe? A5. A transition committee comprised of representatives from the base, the school liaison's office, the school administrator, Balfour Beatty Housing and a parent representative are developing ways to maximize the safety of students. More information will be forthcoming from Twining school and the school liaison office prior to the start of the school year. Q6. How much did it cost to transport children to school? A6. The average cost to transport a child to school was $8 per child per day. Q7. What was done to consider alternative courses of action to reduce the expenses of the school bus contract? A7. We considered using reduced but safe standards to provide a lower-cost transportation service and solicited input from vendors. However, there was very little interest from vendors to provide the service and it was determined there would be no significant cost savings. Q8. Has the base considered a pay-for-ride program? A8. Yes, we reached out to local vendors and there was no interest due to the limited population and limited potential for profit. Q9. Do other bases in Air Mobility Command provide busing with Appropriated Funds? A9. No other base in AMC provides busing with Appropriated Funds. Q10. Does the cancellation of the on-base school bus contract impact our children who receive transportation to downtown schools? A10. The cancellation of the on-base school bus contract does not impact transportation to downtown schools. This service is provided by the Grand Forks Public School District. Q11. How will this decision impact transportation provided to the Youth Center School-Age before and after care programs and the Open-Recreation program? A11. More information will be forthcoming from the Youth Center prior to the start of the school year. The Youth Center is looking into the possibility of providing a feasible and sustainable transportation plan for its patrons. Q12. How and where will I drop off and pick up my child at school? A12. A transition committee comprised of representatives from the base, the school liaison's office, the schools' administrations, BBC Housing and a parent representative are developing ways to maximize the safety of students in light of cancellation of the bus contract. More information will be forthcoming from Twining school and the school liaison office prior to the start of the school year. Q13. At what age can my child stay at home by themselves? A13. Please refer to the GFAFB Supervision Guidelines. Parents can access the complete list of guidelines on the school liaison office webpage and the GFAFB main page. http://www.grandforks.af.mil/library/schoolliason.asp