Bowsky School demands children have ID cards to ride buses
Published: September 29, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - Parents of Bowsky Elementary School students were stunned this week when a letter came home demanding $10 for a student identification card to ride the school bus.
The V.I. Education Department also was surprised by the letter, and Education spokeswoman Ananta Pancham said the department was unaware of the policy.
The letter, dated Sept. 24 from Principal Laura Chesterfield and signed by Assistant Principal Avery Evans, says that it is mandatory for students riding the bus to have a photo ID card. Neither Chesterfield nor Evans could be reached for comment Friday.
The St. Thomas-St. John District superintendent did not seem to know anything about the school's new policy.
"This is not a districtwide policy, this is a matter that the superintendent's office needs to look into with the school, and it merits further discussion with parents," Pancham said Friday.
According to the letter, the $10 fee and the filled-out form - which lists the child's name and emergency contact - must be returned to the school Monday.
"Students without an ID card will not be allowed to ride the buses," the letter said.
Photos are to be taken Tuesday, according to the letter.
One parent, who refused to be named for fear of "retribution," said that his daughter is 5 years old and cannot be expected to hold onto an ID badge for the whole school year.
- Contact reporter Aldeth Lewin at 714-9111 or email alewin@dailynews.vi.
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