Requestor
Kate Swedlow
Organization/Agency
Elkridge Elementary PTA
Requested Information
(1) All documents and records concerning investigations, formal or informal, regarding the HCPSS bus stop located at or on Rockburn Hill Road and/or River Road in Elkridge MD;
(2) All documents and records concerning placement of the "Bus Turn Around" sign in this area;
(3) All documents concerning any investigation or recommendation of the Walking Route and School Bus Stop Review Committee regarding this area and/or bus stop; and
(4) All documents concerning any communications with outside agencies, including but not limited to Howard County Police Department, Howard County Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division, and Howard County Office of Transportation, regarding this bus stop
(2) All documents and records concerning placement of the "Bus Turn Around" sign in this area;
(3) All documents concerning any investigation or recommendation of the Walking Route and School Bus Stop Review Committee regarding this area and/or bus stop; and
(4) All documents concerning any communications with outside agencies, including but not limited to Howard County Police Department, Howard County Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division, and Howard County Office of Transportation, regarding this bus stop
Date Received
Status
Complete
Response Notes
Responsive to this request, in addition to the records linked below, regarding request number two above, staff recalls the placement of the sign was in 1994, however they have been unable to locate related records. We would also refer you to the County’s traffic engineering department to determine if they have existing records.
Responsive Documents
Regarding number one above, staff review/investigation into concerns with the bus stop at Rockburn Hill Road and River Road is done through the attached form. Under both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which restricts access to student records, and MPIA GP § 4-313, which prevents disclosure of school district records pertaining to individual students, we have redacted information that has the potential to identify specific students/families.
Regarding number three above, no records of a recommendation of the Walking Route and School Bus Stop Review Committee exists at this time as they recently received the request to review this bus stop location. Staff indicates this review takes approximately three to four weeks to complete. For reference, background documentation as provided to the Committee to assist in their review is attached. Under both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which restricts access to student records, and MPIA GP § 4-313, which prevents disclosure of school district records pertaining to individual students, we have redacted information and images that have the potential to identify specific students/families. Under MPIA GP § 4-330 which prevents disclosure of sociological information, we have redacted personal email addresses, cell phone numbers, and/or information that has the potential to pose a risk to individual safety or privacy.
Regarding number four above, please find attached emails between HCPSS Transportation staff and Howard County staff as part of the most recent review of this bus stop. Staff indicated additional communications with the County would have been verbal/in-person. Additionally, current staff was aware of one prior communication with the County regarding this bus stop in 2022. Those emails are also attached. Under both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which restricts access to student records, and MPIA GP § 4-313, which prevents disclosure of school district records pertaining to individual students, we have redacted information that has the potential to identify specific students. Under MPIA GP § 4-330 which prevents disclosure of sociological information, we have redacted cell phone numbers and/or information that has the potential to pose a risk to individual safety or privacy. Please note, further review would be needed to determine releasability of all attachments, links and/or external records noted within the responsive email content itself.