During public comment of the Hollister School District trustees meeting Tuesday, the principal of R.O. Hardin School asked the board to strengthen restrictions for the parent chaperones who drive students to school field trips.
“I personally feel responsible for every child that gets in the car with a parent,” Principal Jananne Gaver said at the meeting.
Gaver acknowledged that current policy requires drivers to be at least 21 years old with a license and car insurance that meet district requirements. She also mentioned that school sites monitor the Megan’s Law list of designated registered sex offenders in California, but expressed concern that there was no background check or requirement for a TB test.
As reported by the Free Lance in early October, the Hollister School District is one of many in the state that has been sending students to some field trips in cars instead of buses for years to keep down the costs of transportation. The policy has led many parents to volunteer chaperone their own children to events so they can guarantee their safety.
