Courtesy Busing Changes

[James_Obrien]

James being I am on the Glen Arden Homeowners Association. I will only respond about my development. I read you last sentence, so your saying to the 450 home owners of Glen Arden that since Howell voted down the budget the penalty is the safety of OUR children?

Read my quote. I usually just sit back and read the back and forth non-sense but when something gets me ticked I will take a stand. I support education 100% but spending needs to be kept in check.

John it's not the Boards responsiablity to get your child to school, it's yours. Thats why it's called courtesy busing.

I am glad I got your attention, But if you support education 100% then you would understand that class size and bussing and sports and clubs are all items that are ot requiered but rather things we as a community wanted. We are just not willing to pay for it. I voted yes twenty times in twenty years. Can you say the same?

[James_Obrien]

The simple answer is to support education, vote yes and there would be no need for this conversation. Howell has not supported education for the twenty years I have lived hear. Every time a budget went down more and more got cut. The long range plan was for smaller class size, courtisy bussing and all the things we asked the Board to provide.

But when they did we voted not to pay for it!!! Know we walk

Your first sentence really puts me on edge.  Some of the "No" votes are because of the tactics used to try to persuade the public to vote yes.  It's always Vote YES or we'll take this or that away.  These are educators - don't you think they could put a little more thought into their persuasive essay?

There are no tactics in play here. The simple facts are in twenty years only three budgets have passed. The board has always told the public what would be the first things cut and when the no votes came in that is what got cut. There is no sugar coating needed.

Everyone thinks it a game. But education is more than meets the eye. If you want smaller class sizes your need more space and more teachers. You want sports and clubs you need to pay stipends and the list goes on and on. But you can't learn what education is and what it takes to run a district on a bulletin board when you don't like the latest decision.

[John Gazire]

I'm not playing this game and this will be my last post on this matter. I use this board for entertainment and to hear some opinions NOT to join heated debates. If someone wants my opinions I would rather sit down and discuss them. Do I feel that both BOE's are being run in the most efficient way with every effort being made to save money? I can't honestly say 100% I do so a NO vote isn't saving I'm against education it's simply saying I want to see more checks and balances. Maybe if I was a BOE member and see what goes on behind the scenes I might have a different opinion.

Yes we live within walking distance but with the horrible things that happen to kids, drugs, bullying, terrible drivers, etc. I don't feel it is safe for 5,6,7,8 year olds to be walking to school. I just hope that if enough people speak up then someone says wait a minute this might not be the best idea. Bus the kids, let them off near their streets and give them a chance. God forbid something bad happens because of this decision. Read today's APP man indited for luring.

Maybe I should get more involved but at this time I feel local politics has turned into a popularity contest and see who has the most financial backing. There are good people out there with good ideas that don't stand a chance.

[Keith_Raposa]

This is all BS.  How about cut the fat at the top and we would be able to have every single thing that we want without raising taxes.  But since the people in charge WON'T fix the problem, they take it out on the kids.  How bloated is the administration?  You're telling me that there are no administrators that can be cut before teachers and programs?  The entire system is broken and I will continue to vote no on any budget until you get off your butts and fix it.  You won't fix it, than we just vote others in at the next opportunity.  I'm sick of hearing all this crap about its the peoples fault for voting down the budget.  How about you run your business more efficiently and stop putting the burden on the people.  I hope the entire system fails and we are forced to start over from nothing.  I hope the union is abolished and teachers are actually held accountable for their teachings.  No mandatory raises, no tenure no security just like the rest of the world.  If the teacher isn't measuring up, get rid of them and bring someone new in.  Raises would be based on PERFORMANCE and not a contract where they get raises whether or not they are any good.

The entire system is flawed.  Its pretty sad when my 10 year old is asking me questions about budget cuts and teachers loosing their jobs.  I wonder who he could have heard that from.  hmmmmmmmm  maybe a teacher.  So when you say there is no games, you are full of it.  Teachers have been trying to play the students against the parents ever since the cuts where originally announced by Christie.

[Jody_Branin]

Tri-Town News Article sheds more light.

http://tritown.gmnews.com/news/2010-06-29/Front_Page/Changes_loom_in_Howell_with_end_of_courtesy_busing.html

Changes loom in Howell with end of courtesy busing
Town may have to pay costs of many school crossing guards
BY PATRICIA A. MILLER
Staff Writer
Come September, some children in the Howell K-8 School District will have to do something they are not used to doing — walking to school.
The Howell Board of Education eliminated courtesy busing for the 2010-11 school year in a move to save the district about $250,000, Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden said.

The district has traditionally bused all students to school, regardless of how close they live to the school they attend. The district is not mandated by the state to do that, and courtesy busing has been a point of contention in the district for many years, Golden said on June 28.

“There were people who think [busing students who live close to their school] was just a little bit extravagant,” she said. “We just can’t afford to do it anymore.”

Courtesy busing refers to transportation that is provided to students who by state law do not have to be bused to school.

School districts throughout the state are required to provide transportation for elementary school students who live beyond 2 miles from their school and busing for high school students who live beyond 2.5 miles from their school.

The elimination of courtesy busing in Howell will primarily affect children who attend the Aldrich, Newbury and Taunton schools and can walk “non-hazardous routes,” which usually means routes with sidewalks, Golden said.

Developments to be impacted include Aldrich Estates, Glen Arden, Tanglewood, Friendship Estates, Candlewood, Woodstone and the Windmill Club, she said.

Letters will go out to parents by midweek from school transportation director Nancy Clark advising parents of the change and which streets are affected, Golden said. Howell provided courtesy busing in the past because parents requested it, the superintendent said.

“We were being kind,” she said. “The parents said they needed [busing] to get to work on time. The district was being kind.”

The responsibilities of school boards are limited to educational functions, according to the state Department of Education Internet website.

“They [school boards] are not required by law to provide busing for students who live closer than the mandated distances, even for safety reasons,” the website states. “Case law has long held that safety along public roadways and walkways is a municipal responsibility.”

Municipal governments, not boards of education, bear the cost of supplying crossing guards for school students. Guards are appointed by the municipality and are supervised by the police chief or another chief law enforcement officer, according to the Department of Education.

Police Chief Ronald Carter estimated that Howell will need another 25 crossing guards to deal with the change that will see many students required to walk to school.

A report on how many crossing guards will be needed and the cost of training and hiring them will be available within the next few days, he said.

“I don’t know who is going to pay for it, and you can quote me on that,” Carter said on June 28. “Crossing guards come out of the police department budget.”

When asked if the police department budget has surplus funds to pay for all of the crossing guards that will be needed in September, Carter replied, “That’s a silly question.”

The school district could implement subscription (paid) busing if enough parents demand it, Golden said.

“We might consider it,” she said.

[Jody_Branin]

“We were being kind,” she said. “The parents said they needed [busing] to get to work on time. The district was being kind.”

They spent taxpayer money doing what the taxpayers requested and considered it "kind".  Hmmmm

"Police Chief Ronald Carter estimated that Howell will need another 25 crossing guards to deal with the change that will see many students required to walk to school.

A report on how many crossing guards will be needed and the cost of training and hiring them will be available within the next few days, he said.

“I don’t know who is going to pay for it, and you can quote me on that,” Carter said on June 28. “Crossing guards come out of the police department budget.”

When asked if the police department budget has surplus funds to pay for all of the crossing guards that will be needed in September, Carter replied, “That’s a silly question.”
"

Perhaps PAL and the Board of Ed can work something out with the Southard School situation.  I understand PAL has a pretty run down gym.  There's an empty school with and empty gym.  Hmmm again.

[Pat Garaffa]

"The Howell Board of Education eliminated courtesy busing for the 2010-11 school year in a move to save the district about $250,000, Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden said. "

Or we could ax a couple people in the over populated administration department and save the same amount.   2 salaries and benefits would easily justify the same amount of money and could keep the buses rolling.  

But that won't happen.  

I don't have a problem with kids walking safely to school.  I did it.  You did it.  We probably ALL did it.  But it just bothers me knowing these things (buses, sports & extras) are well within our reach but we continue to kick them to the curb in favor of more "suits" walking up and down the hall, doing paperwork, pushing pencils, etc. 

If the money isn't there then I don't have an argument.  And I don't have a problem either.  But when the money is there, why are the jobs always first and everything else is secondary? 

Someone said that “no job should ever go before a club, sport, bus, etc”.  I disagree. The school is not there to provide jobs to people.  It is there to provide an education to children.  And we need to stay focused on what is best for them.  Everything else is secondary and on the block.  

I would rather see 29 well rounded kids in a class along with lots of afterschool programs, buses and sports vs 27 in a classroom filled with zombies who aren't allowed to do anything, play a sport, join a club, etc.  All this so we could save a couple jobs.  Is the additional 2 kids going to make that big of a difference?   And if the entire class is active & outgoing instead of catatonic, wouldn’t that be a plus and make those teaching  jobs easier?    

Colleges can have 100 people in a class for one simple reason – the people are accountable, responsible, motivated towards success and they want to learn.  And most also have jobs in addition to their class time.  The only reason we function with ¼ that amount is because we can’t motivate the kids or create the same environment.  We need to have the same desire to succeed.  Or (dare I say it?) “compete” against one another?  We don’t do that anymore either since Stanley isn’t very good at throwing the ball so we no longer keep score.  

New Self Esteem Rule:  Everyone gets a trophy.  Even Stanley and the last place team.  

How it is interpreted:  Why work hard?  I get the same reward either way.  

I know we have other challenges in the age group and we could never get to 50-100 kids.  I was just using an example.  

But 28-30?  Come on?  

Accomplish that and get these kids motivated to learn and you could have 30 or 40 kids in the class without a problem.  Keep beating them down and even the best teacher would struggle with 10 kids in a class.  

[Gene_Tanala]

It's a little redundant that we the Howell Township Board of Education is TOP HEAVY ON ADMINISTRATION.   The board has eliminated several Vice-Principals, Supervisiors, etc, 

The BOE has 1 Superintendent, 1, Asst Superintendent of Pupil Services, and 1 Buisness Administrator.  ALL REQUIRED BY LAW, Then we havw 1 Asst Superintendent of Curriculum and Personal.  THAT's IT!!!!

Tell me what positions you are speaking about to cut on the administrative side? Positions!!!

Former Abbott Districts who has 42 schools, with 30 schools failing tier 2's with 20 asst superintendents, 1 superintendent, 265,000, housing, a car and driver.  18 supervisors, 5 vp's and a prncipal in the high schools.

Call the Govonor and ask him to look into these districts..............Oh and the district just received an additional 6 miliion dollar grant for the reconstitution of a high school.

How do I know this? I am employed in this school district and its horific, no supplies, no potable water, and on and on.     HOWELL DOES  IT RIGHT.

If you have a solution and a way to generate revenue, post it................Everyone here gripes that Admin needs to be cut.It was..............Soulutions anyone................attend a meeting, go to a committee meeting, get involved.   

The BOE put Courtesy Busing on a list of cuts back in March...............It was cut in APril...................There was a Public Hearing on the budget, Courtesy busing is just what it means, its a courtesy..............and we cannot affford it anymore.................

Perhaps if everyone attended a mrrting or a budget hearing, they would be better informed..........

The Board has 4 new persons on it, and 3 on on Labor, 2 on finance committee..............The board has changed and is moving in the right direction...............

Sorry if I offended anyone

Gene Tanala

[John Gazire]

I expect the safety of the kids should be front and center on every decision that is made. In this case it wasn't. I don't care if it was a courtesy it should be provided.
Now I wish I was there to hear the behind the scenes discussions. This not a cost saving measure it is a slap in the face to people who chose to live in developments close to schools. The BOE might save a quick buck at 1st but the town will still need crossing guards and now they will need a plan for buses and cars lining up and down the roads dropping and picking up. I guarantee we will also need a police officer directing traffic at drop off and pickup times.

And Sorry to repeat myself when I said I won't but not everyone has the ability to drop off and pickup. The bus takes the kids and they head to work. Now when you see your children get on the bus you can assume they will be safely dropped at the front door of the school. These are different time then when we were kids. Next year when we send our kids out there we will always need to have that extra thought did they get to school safe this morning?  Anyone who agreed to this save a quick buck idea think about that last sentence and if it was your kids.

[Jeanette_Smith]

I just have one comment to make as a parent.

My personal expectation as a parent is that the primary focus of a public school system, or any educational institution for that matter, is the education of its students. Education is the delivery of curriculum through instruction, training and study that provides students with an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills, whether that occurs in a public school, private school, college or university. I expect that to be the front and center on every educational decision made for my children.

However, I do understand that others have different priorities.

[Al_Miller]

I personally attend almost EVERY BOE Meeting and a lot of Committee Meetings. I know the budget failed and we can argue it in so many ways why it failed and why some people feel that it should have been passed. I know the job of the Educational system is to Educate the Children. However those Children need to arrive Safely for them to be Educated. Yes State Law says on paper less than 2 miles than your child walks. I know personally the route my daughter will take and she is just right at the 2 mile mark is a very dangerous route. With Heavy Traffic on the roads and one road even having a blind curve in the road. Then to hear from parents in the development she would walk thru is know for Drugs & Gangs. Of course I will not let my 6 year old walk and will drive her because of this. However the decision to cut Bussing was done prior to the budget being presented so even if the budget passed this was still something that was being cut no matter what. The Safety of our Children was being taken away even before a budget was to be voted on. Then they cut Sport & After School Activities which makes for a well rounded child. Which I know for a fact a few of the BOE Members children took advantage of when they were in the District. A BOE Member had said the exercise these children will get will be good for them. Well so would the exercise they would have received from a sports program. I agree with Mr. Tanla that Vice Principals were cut the Administrators that have the most direct contact with the children. Maybe the BOE is not hearing what the Public is asking they are asking for cuts to be made at Central Administration where they least effect the children on a daily basis. Mr. Tanla is correct the Superintendent, 1 Asst. Superintendent and 1 Business Administrator are required by law. However we have 2 Asst. Superintendents so one could be cut legally. The decision to cut Bussing was not the right decision in my opinion. This is my opinion only and everyone else is free to have theirs as I am not about to argue this out with anyone else, and YES I support Education. I know that is some people thing if you don’t support their views or don’t vote they way they want you to vote right away you don’t support Education so let me get that out. I don’t support however the cuts that are being made from our Children and are taken out before the budget even goes to the voters. Give me something to Vote for and Yes I would support a budget and try and promote a Yes vote. 

[Gene_Tanala]

To all:

The BOE is looking into subscription busing. The BOE  is concerned about the safety of children, this may be an alternative.    The board will be seriously looking into this.   

We are not a city, we have rural roads and highways, etc,  that are very busy. There will be crossing guards, police, etc.............The board is making every effort to get your children safely to school.

Subscription busing is where (if enough parents)  you would pay a small fee to bus your child.  I truely undersatnd the concerns, and hopefully they can be worked out.

I am speaking as a citizen for this post.

Gene Tanala

[Jody_Branin]

2 miles is a LONG walk for a 6 year old.  While I agree with children walking that are a few blocks from the school, 2 miles is too far.  My Mother used to walk with me to Kindergarten and from 1st Grade through 6th, I walked either by myself with with friends from my neighborhood.  It was less than a mile and it was still a hike for me.  I wasn't in poor shape either, Mom didn't drive so I walked and biked all the time.  Once a week I also walked close to a mile from school to Ballet class.  (The end of this walk also included a sprint across the Ballet Teacher's yard to avoid her goose!)  

As I said before, it's important nowadays to stress to the children to stay in a group.  But things happen, somebody runs late, a disagreement between friends, and then somebody is walking alone.  That's where the danger lies.

If it were my child, I'd walk with them or arrange with other parents a schedule for an adult to walk with the group each day.  It would take some organization but it would be worth it.

[Jody_Branin]

To all:

The BOE is looking into subscription busing. The BOE  is concerned about the safety of children, this may be an alternative.    The board will be seriously looking into this.   

Subscription busing is where (if enough parents)  you would pay a small fee to bus your child.  I truely undersatnd the concerns, and hopefully they can be worked out.

I am speaking as a citizen for this post.

Gene Tanala

Oh boy - I can see where this is going. 

[John Gazire]

Sorry Gene but the BOE should not be looking for alternatives they should not have let it come to this.

From what I've seen Aldrich always had a well organized safety program for getting to and from school. Buses line up, kids are lined up and enter and exit in groups. The younger ones were always escorted to the proper bus. After-care kids were led to the cafeteria. There were adults on duty during the process until it was over. Now just because we live close the other kids will still get the safety of the bus program while ours get kicked out the side door and told good luck getting home. Please tell me how you can justify 5-10 year old kids in the same class half will get lined up, escorted, and led to the proper bus to be dropped off on their street while the others are just released out the front door according to their address? If I'm 15 miles or 1 mile from school we all have the same tax rate and should get the same service.