Date: Fri 17-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

schools-bus-stop

Full Text:

Superintendent Plans Fewer Bus Stops Next Year

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

In an effort to hold the line on school transportation costs, Superintendent

of Schools John R. Reed plans to reduce the number of school bus stops for

students next year.

As the school chief pointed out At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, every

time a bus stops it costs money.

"We certainly would not compromise safety, but we would compromise

convenience," Dr Reed explained.

The new system would require more collection points and fewer stops at

individual houses.

School Business Director John Torok said a five-mile bus run with 50 stops

would be reduced to 25 stops, cutting back on time and fuel, the cost of which

has steadily been rising at the pumps lately.

It's unclear what the savings would be by cutting the stops, but

administrators believe it would be enough to make the move worthwhile.

Sandy Hook School parent Sharon McGuinn suggested that by cutting back on bus

stops, the school board would indeed be cutting back on safety.

"This doesn't make sense, especially in this society where there are so many

latch-key kids," she said. "I know a lot of second and third graders who have

to walk home by themselves."

Transportation Director Mary Kelly reiterated that safety is the school

system's first concern, but that collecting students at intersections would

cut costs in both mileage and gas.

Mrs Kelly said having students who live on Still Hill Road walk up to the

intersection of Toddy Hill Road would be a good example of where this

cost-saving measure could be achieved.

Newtown schools were forced to add a new school bus for next year as more

houses and roads sprang up in the state's second largest town in area.