DEPTFORD, NJ – Just weeks before the first day of school, a South Jersey school district has made a decision that will bring big changes for students and their families this school year.
In a letter to parents last week, the Deptford Township School District announced that it was ending free bus transportation for some students because of their home addresses.
The district said it made the “difficult” decision to “optimize resources and ensure financial stability,” which is expected to save $1.65 million annually.
“Please be aware that I cannot in good conscience continue the same practices that have plundered our state and transportation budgets over the past few years,” said Superintendent Kevin Kanauss.
Under the new rules, students who live less than three to four kilometers from school will no longer receive a free school bus.
To receive transportation from the district, parents can pay an annual fee of $365 per student.
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In addition to limiting free transport, bus stops were also relocated to central locations in the districts.
For some students, these changes mean longer walks to the bus stop, for others a completely new school routine.
Deptford Town Council, the Director of Public Safety and the Chief of Police called for the “immediate withdrawal of the plan” in a letter sent to the district on Monday, citing safety and scheduling concerns:
“We strongly disagree with these changes and are demanding that this plan be immediately rescinded… Many of the routes children would need to use are on busy roads and there are no sidewalks or school crossing guards to ensure safety. This poses a significant risk to the well-being of our students… In addition, this announcement was made less than four weeks before the start of the new school year. That is not enough time for parents and guardians to plan for such a major change. The short notice has caused panic and confusion among many families who are unsure if this affects their child,” the statement said.
This came less than a year after the district passed another controversial measure: a crackdown on overdue and unpaid lunch bills.
The district says the changes this year will help support safety, renovations, teaching staff, academic programs, instructional materials, student support services and the construction of new homes.
A full breakdown of the new policy will be presented during a school board meeting on August 20.
