Why Was The Schedule Changed?
Why Was The Schedule Changed?
To The Editor:
Last Tuesdayâs Board of Education meeting was packed with parents and parent group representatives who came to appeal to the board to fix the chaotic bus schedule and bus routes. I wish to commend each and every one of those who attended, particularly those who rose to speak. The patience and decorum displayed by these parents belied their justifiable frustrations, as one after another recounted the unfortunate incidents suffered by their children as a result of a bus system that has completely broken down.
Regrettably, the response from the board to address this problem was the suggestion to employ a website where parents can check if buses will be changed or late the next day. Except for one member, Margaret Hull, who recommended that the board consider returning to the four-tier system, the creation of a website was the only offering from the BOE. Perhaps that is all they can do at this point, but it begs the question: Why was the bus schedule changed in the first place? Did they not realize in spite of planning for more than a year, that it just might not work? Did they not take into account that changing the bus schedule and consequently the school hours would seriously impact the studentsâ sleep and study habits? Was this decision made in order to cut $140,000 from the budget with the knowledge that it would affect thousands of children, as opposed to alternatives such as cutting some teaching staff or imposing or increasing fees for some activities, which would impact a fraction of that number?
If this was the case, then the BOE has lost its compass on this one. In their efforts to save the sacred cows, they have blurred their focus on the priorities. I must add, however, that they have taken responsibility for this tragic mistake and have vowed to correct it. Doing so will help to restore the confidence of the community in their Board of Education. The parents deserve no less. The taxpayers deserve no less. Our children deserve no less.
George Caracciolo
Schoolhouse Hill Road, Newtown                     September 10, 2003