Feeling run over by new Tripp bus plan

It seems safe to say that families living near Tripp Elementary School in Buffalo Grove are being "thrown under the bus" with a recent decision by the District 102 Board of Education to reroute the traffic plan near the 600-student school.

Since 1989, buses have unloaded and boarded students via a circular driveway at the front of the building. This driveway was closed to all other vehicular traffic.

Last week, Tripp School neighbors found a letter from Superintendent Theresa Dunkin tucked near their doors. She announced that as of Sept. 21 all nine buses which transport Tripp School students would be loading and unloading on West Fabish Drive.

Dunkin wrote, " ... vehicle traffic along Fabish will be required to stop when bus arms are extended during student unloading and loading. This will occur from approximately 8:45 a.m.-8:55 a.m. and from 3:25 p.m.-3:40 p.m."

Fabish Drive is a narrow, curved street which makes access to and from our homes difficult or impossible during the traffic stops. While the Buffalo Grove Police Department and village board will be monitoring what is now being described as a 90-day trial, the winter months could prove particularly trying should the new traffic plan remain in place. Emergency vehicles could also find response times impacted with the new plan.

It is time for the District 102 board of education to put the brakes on a traffic plan which was ill conceived and poorly executed.

Perhaps the best decision made by school administrators so far this year has been to schedule a "Walk to School Day" on Oct. 7.

Darcy Gans

Buffalo Grove