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Ridgewood officials weigh curtailing courtesy busing to save $524,000 and consider ballot funding for elementary SROs
Summary
Administrators proposed trimming 'courtesy busing' to save about $524,000 and raised the idea of a November ballot to fund elementary school resource officers; residents warned cuts would create unsafe walks and added traffic in neighborhoods.
District officials told the board they are considering reducing courtesy busing—a service that provides transportation for students who are not legally eligible based on distance—in order to reduce operating costs. "The number was $524,000," Mr. Matthews said when asked for the projected savings, and administrators said they will provide route‑level lists and impacted family counts to the board before any final decision.
Dr. Schwarz said families who live outside the statutory walking thresholds (generally beyond two miles for elementary, 2.5 for secondary) would continue to receive busing, and the administration would assess problem routes and exceptions based on safety. He said any operational change would allow current service through June 30 with changes taking effect beginning Sept. 1, and that the district is still exploring subscription (paid) busing for families who wish to retain service.
Several residents told the board that curtailing courtesy busing would impose severe hardship, citing long, unsafe walks and increased morning traffic at drop‑off points. "Our walk crosses the train tracks and two intersections where pedestrians have been struck and killed," resident Jen Williams said, urging the board to consider local safety infrastructure—crossing guards, crosswalk striping and village coordination—before any service change.
Separately, the administration discussed a possible November ballot question to fund elementary school resource officers (class‑3 retired police officers). Dr. Schwarz said the board would need to consult bond counsel and complete a security audit before placing a conditional levy increase on the ballot. Board members requested clearer cost estimates and an independent audit of facility security prior to any ballot resolution.
Next steps: administrators will provide the board with route‑level courtesy‑busing data and consult bond counsel about ballot timing and legal mechanics; they also committed to coordinating with village police and crossing‑guard plans if services are changed.
