Rutherford County, Tennessee — Last week, the Rutherford County Board of Education voted to eliminate several bus routes in an effort to address a $20 million budget shortfall. The decision to remove approximately 44 bus routes, which would have saved the district around $3 million, drew strong reactions from parents and community members, particularly regarding the potential safety risks for students.
One vocal opponent of the decision was Chuck Isbell, whose son, Nate, tragically lost his life nearly five years ago after being struck by a distracted driver while out trick-or-treating. Isbell, now a concerned father, expressed deep concern about the plan to have children walk or find alternative transportation to school.
“Hearing about this and seeing all this, it actually makes me sick to my stomach thinking about kids having to walk or find alternate means to get to school,” Isbell said.
In addition to Isbell’s objections, the Mayor of La Vergne also urged the school board to reconsider its vote, emphasizing the potential dangers of such changes. Isbell took further action by submitting a four-page letter to school board members outlining his concerns, citing speeding cars, a lack of sidewalks, wildlife, and unpredictable weather as significant hazards for children attempting to walk to school.
“Less than 10% of roads here have sidewalks, and the average speed limit on residential streets is 40 MPH,” Isbell stated in his letter. “These roads are not designed for people to walk on, let alone kids trying to get to school.”
In response to growing concerns, Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, Director of Schools for Rutherford County, addressed the community in a video message on Tuesday. Sullivan announced that the Parent Responsibility Zone (PRZ) initiative would be delayed for one year, allowing the district more time to address safety and logistical concerns.
“Please know that student safety is always my top priority, and I am confident that we will find a solution that meets the needs of the district and also our families,” Sullivan assured.
Sullivan’s statement also came in light of a letter from the Rutherford County Bus Contractors Organization, which warned that some drivers might cease operations if the district did not negotiate for higher pay. However, Sullivan clarified that the bus strike was not imminent. According to the director, an attorney representing the bus contractors confirmed that the strike would be postponed, with most contractors continuing their routes as planned.
“We heard [Tuesday] from an attorney representing some of the bus contractors group that they are not planning to strike later this week as some had previously announced,” Sullivan said. “We are hopeful that any strikes will be limited, and we anticipate the majority of our contractors will continue operating their routes throughout the school year.”
While not all bus contractors intended to strike, some, including Cynthia Gossett, the owner of Gossett Bus Lines, voiced concerns about the potential fallout of a strike. Gossett, whose company operates around 13 routes in the county, emphasized that the dispute should not negatively affect students and their families.
“This should not expand out into the parents, the schools, and the children,” Gossett said. “I do not feel that those people should suffer because we are not getting exactly what was asked for.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the bus routes and the PRZ, Sullivan assured parents and residents that the district would continue to provide updates and work toward a viable solution that prioritizes both safety and the financial health of the district.
As Rutherford County navigates these complex challenges, the tension between managing a tight budget and ensuring the safety of students remains a central issue for the community.
