Show Solidarity With

Newtown’s Bus Drivers

To the Editor:

Where is the loyalty being demonstrated to the school bus drivers of Newtown by some of the members of the Newtown Board of Education? It appears that the superintendent of schools as well as a few board members are selling out to an outside bus firm to the detriment of taxpaying, professionals who have a proven track record for loyalty, commitment, and professionalism over the past several years.

Every family member and each teacher of a Newtown student should be up in arms about the lack of respect being displayed by a few vociferous and unreasonable representatives of our school system. And all of this over and against the logical and reasoned presentations by town and MTM administrators, family members, and school bus drivers. Could there be a “hidden agenda” here?

These few people who seem to be adamant about bringing in an unknown quantity to drive our children — people having no experience within the Newtown system, making claims that there are an abundance of potential drivers to draw from and manifesting a lack of ownership as Newtown residents — do not seem to realize that, when something isn’t broken, there is no need to fix it.

One administrator is said to have cited the number of people who participated in a job fair at the Quassy Amusement park as evidence of no lack of potential drivers for our children. Now, if she were not so serious, most truly educated people might find that thought quite amusing. Our drivers have chosen this career and have committed themselves on a daily basis, to the school system, to our Newtown families and, most of all, to the students themselves. MTM has purchased their buses and the drivers (who are neighbors, friends, outstanding members of the community, and taxpayers) have maintained and driven their buses without incident. Without hiding behind a union, they have carried our children to and from school, each day, in good and not-so-good New England weather — again, without incident.

Two board members have cited the budget as a problem. Yet, MTM is on record as saying that they would match any other company in their proposal. Safety, security, economics, commitment, ownership. What more do we need? Show solidarity with them! They are a very important part of the Newtown family.

(Rev) Leo McIlrath

Sugarloaf Road, Sandy Hook                                              May 8, 2009