ANSWER:

Sligo Middle School students living in the attendance area on the west side of Georgia Avenue receive bus transportation.  Although many of these students live within the 1.5-mile walk area from the school, the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation (DOT) provides this service to prevent students crossing Georgia Avenue on foot. This is in alignment with Montgomery County Board of Education Policy EEA, Student Transportation, which states “Transportation may be provided for distances less than that authorized by Board policy if a condition is considered hazardous to the safety of students walking to or from school, or to establish a reasonable boundary consistent with the safety criteria outlined in C.2.”  DOT staff will connect with school administration and will ensure transportation supervisors visit the service area to conduct observations, and remind families that bus service is available for students residing west of Georgia Avenue.