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Parents criticize bus scheduling and district transparency; committee forms Transportation subcommittee
Summary
Public commenters accused district communications of dishonesty about Board of Health involvement and reported chronic bus timing problems. The school committee unanimously created a Transportation subcommittee to examine route timing, contracts and communication with families.
At the Sept. 12 Middleborough School Committee meeting, residents raised sharp concerns about bus scheduling and a district communication that said the Town Administrator and Board of Health had been consulted on a decision to prohibit school‑sanctioned activities after sunset.
"This is more than a lack of transparency — this is dishonesty," said a resident who asked the committee to put the matter on the public record. The resident said parents received a communication implying a town health‑board discussion had occurred; members of the Board of Health told the speaker they had not been consulted.
Another parent, Sarah Zagoras of 35 Granite Road, described recurring problems with the contracted bus provider, Festar. Zagoras said routes and published times arrived late or early, with some students arriving at school after the bell and others left waiting at unsupervised stops. "The bus schedule came out pretty late for people," she said, and added that website directories lacked staff contact emails.
Committee members acknowledged the concerns and discussed where the district should look for remedies. Staff said the bus contract (with Festar) is the appropriate place to confirm timing obligations; the district will review that contract and report back. The superintendent agreed to follow up with contract details at a future meeting.
To provide focused oversight, the committee voted unanimously to form a Transportation subcommittee and to appoint leadership to it. The committee nominated Chris to chair the subcommittee and appointed Zeke as a member; both nominations passed by unanimous voice vote.
Why it matters: Transportation accuracy and reliable communications are central to student safety and family planning. Committee members said repeated complaints over two years merit a targeted review of contract terms, route verification procedures and parent‑facing information. The subcommittee is expected to examine the contract obligations, whether buses are required to wait if they arrive early, and options for improved route verification and communication.
What comes next: District staff will check the Festar contract for timing obligations and return with findings. The Transportation subcommittee will meet to develop specific questions and priorities for that review.
