> News Elsewhere > Northern Chautauqua County

Email: "3-1-3 transportation discussed at Ripley school board meeting"
*To:		<--TO Email REQUIRED!
*From:		<--FROM Email REQUIRED!

By S. ALEXANDER GEROULD Special to the OBSERVER RIPLEY – On a typical Monday, Wednesday or Friday, several Ripley Central School students travel to the University of New York at Fredonia or Mercyhurst College in Erie to take college courses as part of the school’s 3-1-3 program. The students are responsible for finding their own transportation to the colleges, and must drive in possibly hazardous winter conditions. Recently, a parent of a student in the 3-1-3 program approached the Board of Education about the possibility of the district providing transportation for the program’s participants. “When they make the choice, they know right then that transportation won’t be offered,” said Bob Bentley, board president. “If you’re really concerned about transportation, drive your child there. “I really don’t have a lot of patience for this,” Bentley continued, “but these kids are seniors and they’ll be out on their own in six months.” Bentley said the issue has been brought to the board many times over the years. “Over the years, we’ve turned it down many times,” he said. One way of addressing the issue, according to Interim Superintendent John Hogan, could be by offering college-level courses at Ripley through local colleges such as Jamestown Community College. It also might be possible to make such courses Ripley’s “niche” or specialty if local districts decide to share academic programs. “It’s a matter of getting together with JCC President Greg DeCinque and seeing what happens,” Hogan said. “Perhaps the 3-1-3 center will be on site.” “If we were to offer courses … that would be awesome,” added Nancy Rowe, board vice president. “If we get the JCC program here, we’ve solved the problem,” Bentley added. However, Bentley said even if the district were to offer college courses, students may still choose to attend SUNY Fredonia or other colleges as part of the 3-1-3 program. He added that transportation would still be an issue. Board member Fred Krause added that even if the school did provide transportation, accidents could still happen. “It is a choice,” Krause said. “I know a couple of families that went through it and they survived it.” Also at the meeting, Hogan said he didn’t believe the school’s playing fields would be useable this spring. Mrs. Rowe added that she didn’t believe the fields were put in as specified by the district. “I’m not pleased with it at all,” she said. “I think we have to be hard-nosed with them.” Hogan also told board members that there continue to be some issues with the central business office, noting there has been some difficulty with payroll. He said other schools are having issues as well. “I think it’s just all part of being new and the learn curve we’re going through,” Hogan said. “But it is getting better. We’re making progress, but it’s painfully slow.”

 

Subscribe to Post-Journal

Share: