HOWELL – In an effort to reduce fuel costs and maximize the efficiency of the district’s busing service, the Howell Board of Education changed transportation times and approved a new bus schedule during the June 18 meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden distributed a letter to parents on June 19 notifying them of the changes that will take effect in September.
District officials said, “the changes were prompted by new state efficiency regulations and a district need to reduce fuel costs, as well as an agreement with the Howell Township Education Association to increase our school day by 15 minutes. Our transportation and business offices have reviewed our current routes and have been able to maximize bus seating and better equalize each level of our three-tier system. They have been able to eliminate several routes and ultimately save money. At this time the anticipated savings could realize $250,000.”
Nancy Clark, transportation supervisor for the school district, called the change a good idea. She said that from June 2007 to May 2008 it cost the district $149,285.37 for gas, and $194,000.23 for diesel fuel.
“Right now the district pays $4.15 a gallon for diesel fuel and $3.33 a gallon for gas. In June 2007 the district paid $2.21 a gallon for diesel fuel and $2.65 a gallon for gas,” Clark reported.
According to information provided by the school district, the following times will be in effect at Howell schools next year:
• Howell Middle School North, 7:25 a.m. to 2 p.m. (presently 7:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.)
• Howell Middle School South, 7:25 a.m. to 2 p.m. (presently 7:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.)
• Howell Memorial Middle School, 7:25 a.m. to 2 p.m. (presently 7:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.)
• Aldrich School, 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (presently 8:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.)
• Greenville School, 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (presently 8:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.)
• Adelphia School, 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (presently 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
• Ramtown School, 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (presently 8:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.)
• Southard School, 8:05 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. (presently 8:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.)
• Griebling School, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (presently 8:10 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.)
• Ardena School, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (presently 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
• Land O’ Pines School, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (presently 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
• Newbury School, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (presently 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
• Taunton School, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (presently 8:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.)
As the school bus times change, parents will have to adjust their schedules as well.
Allison Titley-Milner has a secondgrader who attends the Griebling School, which will go from an 8:10 a.m. opening to an 8:45 a.m. opening. Titley-Milner said she was upset with the proposal but could see the financial benefits of making the changes. She suggested that the school board look into providing a before-school program at Griebling.
“At the present time my husband waits at the bus stop with our son to see him off before he leaves for work. I pick up our son from the YMCA after-care program at Griebling,” she said, adding that “with this new schedule, what are our options now?”
Lisa Williams has two daughters, one at the Adelphia School and one at Howell Memorial Middle School. She said she agrees with the new bell schedule and applauds the board for “finding creative ways to save money. I agree it’s a great idea to try to save money in the transportation area. We all know the school system is already facing a shortfall next year.”
In summing up the change, Golden said, “Adelphia will go from being a late school to an early school and Griebling will go from being an early school to a late school.”
The superintendent said the changes will enable administrators to use the school buses to capacity. Eight bus routes have been eliminated, she added.
While some board members asked for more time to discuss the matter, a unanimous approval was made, due to what administrators said were time constraints for bidding on contracted routes.