Responsibility Should Be

Part Of A Bus Company’s Policy

To the Editor:

The first week of school has finished with a bang. The fifth grade Reed Rally confirmed my worst fears. Parents throughout Newtown are shocked and astonished by “All Star” Transportation. High school students on the first day of school are being transported by bus without seats. Is that legal one wonders? Traffic on Toddy Hill is being held up because the profit margin of the bus company is more important than the safety of children.

For the past five days I have been on the phone with two principles, the business manager of the Board of Education and “All Star.” I have reached out unsuccessfully to the first selectwoman and the superintendent. I have made very little progress. My 10-year-old now has an appropriate drop-off from the bus stop; however, three kindergarten students have had jaw-dropping stories ranging from children being incorrectly transported to children being dropped off on a busy road without a responsible adult to assume responsibility for the child.

So my query to “All Star” Transportation is — I know profit margins are part of your mission statement but is responsibility part of your corporate culture?

Jennifer Papa Kanaan, MD

Sandy Hook                                                                September 1, 2012