Schools

7 Things You Need to Know About the Mamaroneck Bus Controversy

What do you think about the proposed changes?

Parents are decrying a new money-saving proposal that would trim district busing for some private and parochial school children in grades 6-12.

If you are just diving into the controversy here are some key points:

  • The change would affect about 100 middle and high school students, traveling to 9 out of the 37 non-public schools district children attend, according to the district.
  • It would require them to use public transportation options instead of yellow buses. Vouchers would be offered at no cost to parents.
  • Private school parents and their supporters have formed coalition to prevent the changes, calling it the Fairness for all Kids Coalition. They've adopted the slogan, "Unsafe. Unfair. Illegal." Here's a video of a rally at Tuesday's board meeting. Children potentially as young as 10 would have to walk along streets with no sidewalks, make transfers at large transportation hubs and face commutes as long as 90 minutes each way, parents say.
  • Cuts to busing non-public school district students has been a controversial touchpoint elsewhere as boards and administrators look to cut costs, including a similar proposal in Rye Neck district in 2011.
  • The changes are set to begin in the fall.
  • Schools the change covers: Archbishop Stepinac, Fordham Prep (though district transportation currently not offered here), French American school (Mamaroneck), Holy Child, Iona Prep, Resurrection Grammar, Rye Country Day, Thornton Donovan, Ursuline
  • It would save the district $140,000 a year.

Quotable:

Morgan Hook of the parents' coalition had this to say to LoHud.com: 

"Parents are concerned about their kids' safety. They pay taxes for this service even if the kids don't go to public schools. People are really angry about this."

Good to Know:

Parents have until April 1 to request district transportation.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here