Police, parents tell board cut was mistake

School officials say courtesy

busing will not be restored this year

BY MICHAEL ACKER

Staff Writer

People from all corners of Sayreville packed the Samsel Upper Elementary School gymnasium Tuesday night to hash out concerns about the school district's elimination of courtesy busing.

More than 150 residents were in attendance, along with borough officials and police, for the Board of Education's special meeting. Most expressed displeasure with the fact that some 800 borough students will no longer be bused next year.

Voters turned down the $300,000 busing expense during the April school board election. The item, a separate question on the election ballot, would have maintained the district's service of busing students in grades six through 12 who live less than 2.5 miles from their school.

At the meeting, school officials distributed information on subscription busing and bus stops, where it will be provided.

Board President Michael Macagnone, in an effort to assuage concerns about children having no ride in the event of early dismissals, said that lockdown procedures will go into effect for children who are no longer bused and need to be picked up.

Borough Police Sgt. John Bartlinsky, who is in charge of the Traffic Safety Bureau, stood before the board to voice his opposition to the defeat of courtesy busing.

"The borough of Sayreville Police Department does not support the Board of Education in wanting to do away with courtesy busing. We have some safety concerns over vehicular traffic on our roads during rush hour," Bartlinsky said.

He estimated that there will be an additional 200 cars on the roads due to the removal of courtesy busing, adding that this figure is going to increase during inclement weather.

Bartlinsky also voiced concerns about students having to walk home from school in twilight and darkness. He added there will be extra costs related to the hiring of at least eight to 10 more crossing guards

Addressing a question about sex offenders, Bartlinsky said that is not his area of expertise, but added there are several people classified as Tier 1 and Tier 2 offenders in the borough.

Board member Kevin Ciak said officials did consult the Traffic Safety Bureau when the board made plans to take courtesy busing out of the operating budget, and Bartlinsky confirmed that approximately three months ago he met with the school business administrator to discuss bus and walking routes that were deemed hazardous. He described the meeting as informative.

Macagnone said he made an assumption that parents would not let their children walk home from school at night or in dangerous weather. He broke down the duties of the board as dealing with education and taxes. He said that during the budget process, many in attendance at borough meetings questioned the board on why they were funding an item that the state does not mandate.

Courtesy busing cannot be restored in this year's school budget, Macagnone said, adding that it does not look good for next year either, based on a preliminary review of the budget.

"I hope we see this many people at every [board] meeting," Macagnone said.

"I spent 22 years in the military, and this is the only state that relies on real estate taxes to fund education. It is BS," the board president said of New Jersey's school financing methods.

Mayor Kennedy O'Brien attended Tuesday's meeting along with Councilman Stanley Drwal. O'Brien said he understands the passion of the parents who were in favor of courtesy busing. O'Brien added that his concern is for the safety of the children.

"I respect the work that the board does," O'Brien said. "It is not an easy job. I never viewed the job of an elected official as 'me against everyone else.' It is 'we, the people.' "

Anish Patel, of Highland Drive, noted that the majority of people in the borough are not effected by courtesy busing.

"This question should not be on the ballot in the first place," Patel said, suggesting the busing should have been left in the operating budget.

But Macagnone said that if courtesy busing was not on the ballot, it would have been cut outright during budget discussions.

Patel then expressed his concern that the elimination of courtesy busing will affect property values in the borough, since prospective buyers who learn their neighborhood is not bused may look elsewhere.

"If there is not a good education system, then people are not going to buy," Patel said, adding later, "You saved $300,000, but you are going to get zero."

O'Brien was skeptical of any effect on property values in Sayreville.

"The price of the house is not relevant to the safety of the child. The safety of the child is a motivator for me," O'Brien said.

Patel said he agreed with O'Brien about children's safety being top priority, but he was still vocal in his opposition to the removal of courtesy busing.

"If kids walk home and get tired after two miles in the snow, how can they study," Patel asked.

O'Brien described the meeting as reactive and the situation as unfortunate. He said it indicates that the board's action may not have been thoroughly researched and that this could put children at risk.

O'Brien also mentioned that residents are concerned about property taxes, as they continue to escalate in the borough and most other towns.

"New Jersey has a horrific way to fund education. I do not know how the Legislature let it be that way," he said.

Macagnone suggested that members of the board meet with the chief of police, as O'Brien had advised. He said the policy for busing children who live on "hazardous routes" will be revisited as well.

Resident Andrea Paredes voiced her concerns about Bordentown Avenue, particularly the intersection with Ernston Road. With the passage being narrow, Bordentown Avenue is going to be re-evaluated to determine whether the conditions are hazardous.

Paredes told Greater Media Newspapers that the board's clauses specify that children who have to walk to school on roadways with speeds in excess of 35 mph, without sidewalks or in other poor conditions, are entitled to receive busing.

"Bordentown Turnpike to the intersection of Ernston Road has poor walking space and has a 40 mph speed limit that over-exceeds the limit they agreed to," Paredes said. "They should mark it as a hazardous walking condition for any child to walk."

Board Business Administrator Emidio D'Andrea noted that one side of Bordentown Avenue has been declared hazardous due to the lack of a walking path.

Macagnone also said board will look to hold meetings on specific items before budget discussions next year to prevent this from happening again.

Macagnone advised residents to vote, join their PTO or PTA organizations, and attend board meetings regularly to see how taxpayer money is being spent.

"I would love to see you guys at budget time," Macagnone told the crowd.

Board Vice President Pat Lembo said he thought the meeting, the second of two in June on courtesy busing, went well.

"People got their chance to give their opinions," Lembo said. "Like Mike [Macagnone] says, I understand people's frustration, but the voter's had their opportunity to vote this in. Unfortunately, it is out of our hands right now. Whether or not it will be able to fly in next year's budget - I think it is something to look at. Whether or not it is financially feasible, I'm sure we will look at it. It is too early to determine."