We just received our survey about courtesy busing and have a few questions or concerns which hopefully can be addressed by the Plumsted School District.
• The cost is still only an estimate and is kind of high consideringwewere told the savings is $250 a student. Where does the extra $200 go? Why can’t we get an exact price? We are only two months away now. Also, the school district wants the money in one lump sum in June or July.
• If we must consider our options, what has the Plumsted Township Committee done to make it safer for our children to be walkers? Are the sidewalks, crosswalks and crossing guard situations improving or are we being forced to pay for busing or risk safety? We have not heard from the township about any changes or improvements as of yet.
The Board of Education and the township, according to the newspapers, are working together, yet nothing is stated in the survey.
• Back to the payment. No option for a payment plan? The money is all due as stated on the survey in June or July, and the survey just came out.
Does the school board really think everyone has $450 to $900 lying around? They need to consider where the people are located who this is affecting: mainly the downtown area, where the average household income must be lower. Has anyone looked into that?
• The school board’s survey must be turned in by June 25, with only the business office listed as who to send it to. How do we get it to you? Send through school, mail, and drop off ourselves?
More effort should be placed on this issue, as the board and superintendent are putting students at risk.
Once again I am asking the school board and township officials to think more about the students’ safety. It is not a question of whether (a student) will get hurt, but when. The odds are not in the students’ favor, it will happen. Please be proactive and not reactive. Fix the problem before it happens.
Tim Hagar
Plumsted