“Driver leaves child on bus” This Herald headline (May 11, page A1) prompts many questions and provokes comment.

What in the world is a 3-year-old doing on a school bus? And strapped in a child safety seat?

Who placed the child in the safety seat? Who is required to release the child at the bus trip destination?

This is institutional babysitting, requiring others to provide parental care.

With the constant cry from our school systems, “We need more money,” it would seem logical to eliminate special vehicles, equipped with special seating, and the costs associated with transporting infants.

Parenthood requires and demands that the feeding, clothing, housing and very basic education be provided by the parents. These requirements are not, and should not be, the responsibility of taxpaying citizens.

Earle L. Willey
Indianola

(Editor’s note: The child attends preschool at Breidablik Elementary School.)