School Bus Routes Frustrate Parents, School Board
Green Brook district wrestles with fitting 1,000 students at three schools onto five buses.
Here's a math problem you won't find on the state NJASK tests: how do you get more than 1,000 students to class at three different schools, with five buses?
Take your time—and be sure to show your work.
The Green Brook School District plotted one set of solutions to the challenge of busing its students to school, but the complicated routing sometimes has kids on the bus for longer rides than anyone intended.
At Monday's Board of Education meeting, Tuttle Street resident Jody Britten told the board members that she was concerned about the length of time her 10-year-old son is riding on school buses on his way to and from classes each day, which she said can be as much as 45 minutes each way.
"Our route goes from IEF, then kind of goes all the way up the mountain and everything else before it comes down," she said, describing the afternoon ride home for her son.
She asked if the routes would be shortened or changed, or if the district is waiting for the return of Transportation Supervisor Nancy Farinella, who has been out on a leave since June, before making any changes.
Business Administrator Michael Colling said the district won't be making any changes in the routes, now that school has started.
"We're continuing to evaluate our routes, and at this point, we monitor them daily as to when the drivers are arriving," Colling said.
Britten added that she thought students living south of Route 22 wouldn't have to be bused to the other side of the road, but Colling said with the number of students at IEF riding buses, that wasn't possible.
"We do schedule our routes in the most safe manner we can," he said.
Britten said knowing her son will take a 45-minute ride to school that's "about five minutes away" is "a little disconcerting."
The board approved hiring two additional drivers at Monday's meeting, and
Parent Lisa Couch had a different issue regarding the bus her kids catch to school: originally scheduled to pick kids up at 7:28 a.m., the bus didn't pick up the kids until after 7:50 a.m.—until Monday morning, when the bus returned to its regular schedule unbeknownst to Couch and some of the other parents.
She said the only notifications sent to parents were through the students, which she said she didn't receive.
"For all of the times this school district has sent out email blast and all of the voicemails that all of my telephones get that there's absolutely no reason that technology could not have been used," she said.
Colling apologized for the inconvenience and said the district would evaluate the procedures used in case the issue comes again.
Satish Kethineni
5:30 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Yes, my sons bus ride is 30 mins, and we live 5 mins from the school as well
Dr. Clare Larkin
11:45 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
My daughter is on the bus for 45 minutes in the afternoon. I think they need to go back about 5 or 6 years, and use the bus routes they used to have. My son used to get off the bus from IEF a half hour earlier than my daughter is getting off the bus now. It makes no sense.
Melissa
12:51 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I also have a similar situation where my 1st and 3rd graders are taking a 45 to 50 minute bus ride home from IEF school. Last year they came home 3:50PM. This year they come home 4:20 most days. I live on the same side of Rt.22 as the school!! I was told nothing can be done to make the trip shorter. Not the answer I was hoping for!
Diane Eisen
9:30 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
All of you parents with children riding the school busses should get together and find out what it is that the school board spent the increased tax dollars on this year instead of the additional school busses which would provide a reasonably short ride to school. I would not be satisfied with the answers they gave you - that nothing can be done now that school has started. It's probably more important to all of you than some of the things the district added to the programs or curriculum - perhaps and additional language or class that you may not feel is necessary.
Diane Eisen
9:40 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Our property taxes were increased by 6.5% and you are getting these answers to a serious problem? The budget doesn't need to be increased to add school busses - but priorities have to be weighed. I don't think it's safe to bus children across route 22. I also don't think it's right to have these kids on the busses for 45 min. when they come home to a lot of homework, less fresh air and exercise, and less sleep in the morning. It's not good educational practice - healthy children who are less stressed are more likely to achieve good grades and test scores. But perhaps they need Latin or more advanced technology instead. Remember, It's not exciting or innovative to add a few more school busses to the route. But, school board members don't have to worry this year because there are 3 candidates for School board on the ballot and you get to vote for three.
gbjeanne
5:54 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I could not agree more with these comments. I have never experienced these type of issues when Nancy was able to schedule the bus routes.
I have two issues, my son is on the 45min bus ride when he can walk home in ten minutes. Although this is not the safe option. I plan playing a card I wish I did not have to resolve this issue and to ensure he is comfortable and feels safe during his bus ride.
Second - having a child that does not attend Watchung HIlls but another public school for some reason I am told GB will not provide transportation on the day her school is open but Watchung or GB is not. Other years they did. But they provide transportation to children that attend special need schools when GB school is closed. What is the difference? Is an education all the same?
I could not attend the board meeting due to a prior commitment, but why bother as the board does not care. I wonder how the bus schedule runs for those that have kids in IEF or GBMS.
hongfeng
9:15 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
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