Chaos Erupts as Board Addresses Busing, Audit

Chaos Erupts as Board Addresses Busing, AuditContributed by Thomas DuffyFriday, 03 July 2009 00:00The Levittown Board of Education held a special meeting at the Levittown Memorial EducationCenter on June 22 for the purpose of discussing a petition protesting its recent decision to alterthe district’s student transportation eligibility policy. During the budget vote held on May 19, a referendum (Proposition #2) was presented toLevittown residents that would grant the board the authority to increase the minimum distance,from one-half mile to three-quarters of a mile, that students would be required to live from theirschools in order to be eligible for bus transportation. By modifying the transportation eligibilityrequirements, the board would make fewer children eligible for bus services and save thedistrict an estimated $800,000 per year in transportation costs. Although the referendum waspassed along with the budget, district residents have since compiled a petition with more than900 signatures requesting that the board not follow through on enacting this measure andinstead arrange a special re-vote on the referendum prior to the upcoming school year.The altering of the transportation eligibility criteria is one of a series of money-saving measuresthe board has considered this year as part of a concerted effort to lower the district’s expenses.According to Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois, the failure of the state government to increaseaid to the ...