Transportation Cuts: Pearl River Parents Raise Concerns

Approximately 300 students who would have been eligible to take the bus to Pearl River High School a year ago will not have that option this fall.

This is not news. The voters in the Pearl River School district approved the change in transportation May 17 in a separate proposition that was on the ballot along with the 2011-12 district budget.

A group of parents voiced their concerns regarding the change at the Pearl River School District's Board of Education meeting Tuesday night in Pirate Cove.

The new policy only has an impact on students in grades eight through 12.

The parents included some who have children in Pearl River schools who will not be eligible to ride the bus this year as well as those with a similar issue who have eighth graders at the St. Margaret School in Pearl River. St. Margaret shares in transportation as part of an arrangement with the Pearl River School District.

That led to one of the complaints Tuesday. The parents of children who attend St. Margaret's claimed that it was not made clear to them that the proposal included their school and that is why they did not vote on the proposal.

The new policy was recommended by a committee put together by the district to study possible ways to save money in transportation. They looked at reducing transportation to the middle school as well, but that idea was put on hold.

The savings come from not having to pay for three afternoon buses.

"The committee made a recommendation to the board of education to put on the ballot changing the limits for 8th graders from 1.5 to two miles and for 9th through 12th graders to 1.5 to three miles as a cost-saving measure saving approximately $200,000 or $195,000," said Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano. "It was placed on the ballot. Just to review the outcome of that vote, it was 1,170 yes votes and 674 no votes. Now that's a pretty strong endorsement."

Morgano went on to explain that there is nothing the board of education or administration can do about the change for the 2011-12 school year.

"I met with the principal of St. Margaret's (Monday) and she asked if there is anything that can be done," Morgano said. "I shared with her that as many people may know, Mayor Bloomberg gave the state some money and they were able to restore the Regents (exams). I used that as an example. If someone bestowed $200,000 on us, we could not restore the buses because the community voted to change the limits. The board of education and the superintendent cannot override the community."

Morgano said that residents can organize a petition to have the limits changed back, which could be put on the ballot for the following school year. Such a petition would require the signature of 90 registered voters who live in the district.

The primary concern of parents seemed to be safety, with many more students either walking to school or riding along with other students. Resident Patricia Partridge pointed out the danger of students walking along Townline Road or Holt Drive, where there are no sidewalks.

"It is a concern for safety," Partridge said. "You will have more kids driving kids to school. We lost a child not that long ago by having kids drive kids to school."

The parents asked about having sidewalks put in and getting additional crossing guards put in place. Both are issues they would have to take up with the Town of Orangetown, which is in charge of hiring crossing guards, though the board can make a request.

Joe O'Loughlin questioned putting the change on the voters.

"You keep saying the voters, but the board put forward this proposition to the voters," O'Loughlin said. "That's where this board is accountable."

Board President Michael Clohessy pointed out that his own child is among those who lost eligibility to ride the bus with the change, but he said he still voted for it. He pointed to financial concerns as the reason, specifically the state's new two percent tax levy cap.

"Every year from now on, the school district can only go to the public for a two percent tax increase," Clohessy said. "If you would get $175,000 or $180,000 for one thing, you would be taking money from another area.

"We will get into the budget process a lot earlier this year. It's going to be very difficult. Some of thsoe teachers we hired tonight might not be here next year. Kindergarten might not be here next year. These are very difficult times we have to work with."