Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Proposition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates proposed change to transportation limits that would make thousands of students walk or be driven to school
Summary
Board discussion over Proposition 2 — a May ballot measure to change minimum and maximum distance rules for district transportation — focused on an estimated $1.75 million savings, broad community impacts (including nearly 3,000 additional walkers), and concerns about safety, timing and transparency for families and parochial schools.
A resolution to place a transportation change — labeled Proposition 2 in the district presentation — on the May ballot drew extended debate at Sachem Central School District’s March 26 board meeting. The measure would revise K‑8 minimum walking/transport distances from one-half mile to one mile, change 9–12 minimums to 1.5 miles and reduce the maximum high‑school transport radius from 25 miles to 15 miles. Administration estimated the change would save about $1,750,000 if adopted.
During the presentation, Michelle Serakis explained how the change would affect parochial-school routing: because the district would still be required by state rules to transport parochial students who fall within the new limits, the district would replace smaller van shuttles with centralized large‑bus pickup locations. She said Saint Anthony’s students would be routed to Nokomis and Saint John the Baptist students to Seneca as centralized pickup points; parents would be responsible for getting students to the central stops.
Board members and several public speakers said the measure could dramatically increase walkers and parent drop‑offs. Board member Sreen (last name not specified in transcript) cited district estimates that current walkers number about 630 and would rise to roughly 2,800 under the new limits — an increase of nearly 2,200 students. Board members expressed safety concerns, particularly where students would have to cross major roads and busy intersections; several said they want maps for each school showing who would lose door‑to‑door service.
Public comment emphasized practical impacts. Matthew Grunhaus, a junior at Saint John the Baptist High School, said losing feeder shuttles could force students to change schools mid‑career and would limit participation in extracurriculars such as athletics and music if parents cannot reach centralized pickup points after work. Several PTA and parent speakers requested a postponement of any change so the district could provide clear maps, run ridership surveys and allow parochial families and working parents to plan.
Nut graf: The proposition drew sharp disagreement among board members about timing and tradeoffs. Supporters said the savings are necessary to reduce reliance on reserves and to prevent deeper cuts to staff and programs; opponents called the change disruptive to families, feared safety risks and urged more public notice and an implementation delay to the following school year to give parents time to adjust.
Board deliberations and suggested alternatives
Some members suggested making the proposition contingent on budget outcomes or delaying implementation to the 2026–27 school year if the board wished to give families time to plan. Patty (board member) and others proposed using a larger pierced levy as an alternative source for transportation funding so the district would not have to use reserves if the proposition failed. Board members also proposed targeted steps if the measure were adopted: surveying ridership, consolidating routes where ridership is low, and removing students from routes after extended periods of non‑use to reduce wasted capacity.
Clarifying details from administration and public speakers
- Estimated savings: about $1,750,000 if Proposition 2 passes. - Estimated change in walkers: current walkers ~630; projected to ~2,800 (district estimate cited during board discussion). - Parochial schools most affected: Saint Anthony’s and Saint John the Baptist; central pickup sites proposed at Nokomis and Seneca. - Implementation question: administration said it had consulted with State Education legal staff and the state requirements for central pickup; the board discussed possible legal contingencies and timing options.
Ending
Board members did not record a final vote on Proposition 2 during the meeting (discussion was ongoing). Several board members asked administration to publish maps showing which addresses would be classified as walkers, to run a ridership survey and to provide an analysis of alternative savings strategies before the board adopts a final budget or moves forward with a ballot resolution. Public commenters and board members urged maximum transparency about the timing of implementation and potential mid‑year consequences for families.
