Give The New Bus System A Fair Shot

To the Editor:

As I stood waiting for the school bus to pick up my three children I had a few moments, in between their bantering, to contemplate the school bus editorial published on September 26. As citizens of Newtown, we have numerous privileges, one of which is our owner/operator bus system.

Prior to the opening of the Reed 5/6 School, I served as a parent representative, on a committee organized to debate the impending school bus issues. Consequently, I am very well versed on the problems of bus crowding, length of bus ride, and the three-tier versus four-tiered systems. All of these issues were heavily debated in a forum, which included parents, teachers, and administrators. During our meetings, the committee members constantly struggled with what we wanted (the utopian bus system), versus the grim reality of being funded through taxation. After numerous meetings, the assembly constructed a few reasonable plans, which were drafted into proposals and then submitted to the school superintendent. One of the proposals, composed in a joint effort of parents, teachers, and administrators, closely resembles the system we have now. The transportation department did not arbitrarily concoct the new bus system; on the contrary, considerable analyses and planning were its foundations.

The root of the school bus problem does not lie with poor planning, the superintendent, or the Board of Education. The fundamental problem is twofold: change and funding. The opening of the 5/6 school ushered in change; change in funding, change in school times, and change in bus schedules. This change is due to progress. A forward thinking town expanded its wonderful school system for the benefit of the children. As citizens we must voice our concerns, however we also must allow the new system a chance. As we become acclimated to the changes, the system will become more and more smooth allowing change to become mainstay. If the new bus schedule proves itself, we will be “good to go” for years to come.

The bus system also comes down to funding, and we, the parents, have done a poor job at the polls. The last town budget was passed at a slim margin, and on its third try. The school system must function on a fixed budget — and the budget can only go so far. Will the taxpayers agree to higher taxes in order to afford four new buses to implement the coveted four-tiered system? Our own voting history says No.

Let’s not throw stones at the people and the administration that have done a fine job planning and reworking an existing good system. We have a growing community — it is much more productive to adapt to change and secure progress than it is to cast blame and become stagnant. Let’s, as a town, accept change, allow the new bus system a fair shot, and in the next election, go to the polls and show our support for our fabulous school system.

Cherie Harmeling

77 Mile Hill Road South, Newtown                          October 1, 2003