Robbinsville parent urges return of neighborhood bussing; board hears safety and staffing concerns

A Robbinsville parent told the Board of Education on Feb. 20 that neighborhood busing cut after prior budget reductions has not been restored, creating unsafe drop‑off and pick‑up conditions near Pond Road Middle School.

Anthony Inverso said his family’s Saran Woods neighborhood had relied on district buses prior to 2017 and that the absence of service has forced parents to wait in long car lines and created unsafe walking and biking routes for students. He asked the board to restore bussing for neighborhoods such as Saran Woods or, at minimum, to make space on existing routes that pass those neighborhoods.

Inverso described idling, cars taking unsafe maneuvers and children biking through congested parking areas, and said the situation is “chaotic” and “dangerous.” He said his wife has raised the issue several times and that, after the district’s prior budget struggles, promised service had not returned.

Board response: administrators said the district is conducting transportation studies and has met with consultants as part of safety and routing reviews. Trustees asked that the parent’s concerns be included as part of budget discussions and the larger transportation study; no formal motion to restore routes was made during the meeting.

Other concerns: Inverso also noted the absence of a middle‑school librarian and urged the board to consider staffing in the operating budget.

What’s next: the board will consider transportation and staffing needs during upcoming budget committee meetings and the district’s transportation study.