Resident urges stronger oversight after repeated high-school bus delays, says contractor billed for absent drivers

During public participation, Stacy Theophilu, a Westwood resident, told the school committee she has raised ongoing high-school bus delays with the superintendent and seeks committee oversight. "How many students are late every day? We don't really know," Theophilu said, adding she had been told “at one point over 100 per day.”

Theophilu said bus-stop consolidations have created long or unsafe walks for some families and that Connelly Bus Company did not supply the contracted number of drivers. She told the committee the district has been billed for absent drivers and has requested and received refunds, and raised concerns about tracking: the contract requires buses to arrive by 8:10 a.m. for an 8:15 start, she said, but the district reportedly tracks only buses arriving at 8:14 or later and has not sought contract penalties for late service.

"One bus costs $470 per day," Theophilu told the committee, and she asked the district to consider returning refunded funds to restore part of the Mandarin program cut in February. She said she plans to escalate the matter to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, town auditors, selectmen and the Massachusetts attorney general.

Theophilu framed her comments as both operational and safety concerns for families. She urged the school committee to exercise oversight and to improve tracking so claims for contractual penalties can be pursued if warranted. The committee did not take immediate formal action during public comment; the superintendent later confirmed bus timing was discussed in office hours and that the administration would continue to investigate and follow up.