Request for Transportation Accommodation and Policy Consideration for Out-of-District Staff Children

[Naomi Sanchez]

Dear Members of the School Board,

I am writing to formally request an accommodation for my daughter to ride the public school bus to Los Alamos Middle School. I have reached out to both Keith and Jennifer Guy regarding this matter; however, we have not received a response to our concerns or request for support, as the options that were offered did not alleviate the hardship my family is currently facing.

It is disheartening to feel that the Los Alamos Public School District is unwilling to assist a teacher who serves this community daily. I have proudly worked at Pinon Elementary School for three years and am deeply committed to our district’s mission, vision, and Strategic Planning Process, which emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, accountability, and student well-being. I believe in and live the district’s 100% vision — ensuring every student is seen, supported, and successful.

I am not seeking to challenge district procedures or create conflict. I am simply asking for understanding and support from the district I serve. My situation is unique and not comparable to that of a typical out-of-district student. As a teacher, my contract requires me to be at work by 7:45 a.m., but I arrive at 7:30 a.m. daily to prepare my classroom and meet my professional responsibilities. My daughter currently cannot access safe and reasonable transportation that allows me to fulfill these duties without significant hardship. 

Although Keith offered my daughter a spot on Bus Route 11 (Bus 160), this arrangement is not a feasible accommodation. To reach the designated stop, my daughter would either need to walk 23 minutes from Pinon Elementary School to Karen Circle or wait unsupervised at the stop from 7:30 a.m. until pickup at 8:03 a.m. As a parent, I cannot in good conscience allow her to wait in an unfamiliar area for that length of time, especially as weather conditions grow colder. In addition, I have a third grader who attends Piñon Elementary School and needs to be at school no later than 7:45 a.m. to eat breakfast and be ready when the bell rings at 7:55 a.m. This makes it even more challenging for our family to manage transportation. 

Furthermore, my husband, who works for the State of New Mexico in Santa Fe, has been using personal leave each day to ensure our daughter gets to school safely. This has caused significant stress and hardship for our family.

I have always followed district policies and procedures transparently and in good faith. Unfortunately, doing so has resulted in barriers rather than support. I have since learned that not all students currently riding district buses reside in-district. While I am not interested in naming individuals, this inconsistency raises questions about equity and fairness in transportation decisions.

Therefore, I respectfully request the following:

An accommodation allowing my daughter to ride the public school bus to and from Los Alamos Middle School, given my status as a district employee serving Los Alamos students.

Consideration of a district policy that explicitly supports teachers and staff who live out of district but have children attending Los Alamos Public Schools. Such a policy would help retain and support dedicated educators who invest their time and energy into this community.

I take great pride in being part of Los Alamos Public Schools. My children represent the district positively through their academics, behavior, and extracurricular involvement. I simply ask that the district uphold the same commitment to support families like mine who are doing their best to contribute to the success of our students and community.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I sincerely hope the Board will review this request with empathy and fairness.

With respect and appreciation for your time,

Naomi Sanchez