In the spring of 2024, the Lafayette School Corporation (LSC) implemented new school start and end times across the K–12 system. The stated objective was to stagger bus routes and reduce the number of drivers required—ostensibly to avoid raising driver pay by $3/hour to match surrounding districts.

This cost-cutting policy has imposed a substantial burden on families. It has necessitated earlier wake-up times, disrupted household routines, complicated participation in extracurricular activities, and extended the school day by 30 minutes for our youngest learners. More complex bus routes have considerably increased commute times—some students now endure two or more hours on the bus each day for in-town travel. Under the new schedule, many children arrive home close to or after 5 pm, leaving little time for decompression before bed—often the same, or even less, rest period than adults working a forty-hour week receive. Research affirms that children require unstructured downtime in the afternoons and evenings to process experiences, regulate their nervous systems, and consolidate learning. Without sufficient relaxation time, cognitive, emotional, and creative development can suffer Akron Children's Hospital.

As of the first day of the 2025–2026 academic year, LSC’s Transportation Department had not yet provided busing information to many families. This gap has created widespread confusion and logistical hardship for Lafayette households.

Clearly, deficiencies in LSC management and policy decisions created this transportation crisis—decisions directly traceable to the School Board’s actions.

Regrettably, attending School Board meetings in person is challenging for many parents. Lengthy school days, evening extracurriculars, and family routines make in-person participation exceptionally difficult. The recent scheduling changes have only compounded these barriers.

By contrast, the Lafayette City Council regularly records and posts its public meetings on YouTube, using a multi-camera setup that clearly captures all speakers and board members. This accessible, cost-effective approach enables the public to stay informed and engaged without attending in person.

We respectfully request that the Lafayette School Board adopt this same practice:

Record all public sessions using multiple cameras, and upload complete videos to YouTube.
This request is about more than convenience—it’s about promoting transparency, accountability, and community trust. With improved access to School Board proceedings, parents can stay informed, voice concerns, and contribute ideas. Our community is thoughtful and engaged—if such transparency had existed earlier in 2024, better solutions might have emerged, and the current transportation crisis could potentially have been prevented.

Please sign and share this petition to demonstrate that Lafayette families care deeply about how our schools are administered—and that we want to be part of the solution.

Thank you for your time and support.