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Parents and residents warn board that cutting late bus would harm after‑school participation
Summary
During public comment, residents urged the Wallkill Valley board to reconsider cutting a late bus, saying it would affect students who rely on transportation for after‑school activities and suggested staffing reductions as an alternative to service cuts.
Several members of the public used the March 26 meeting's public‑comment period to press the board on transportation and staffing choices in the budget. David Dreifus of Hamburg asked whether the budget would be discussed further and warned, “if the late bus is cut, it will affect students participating in after school activities.” John Kelly of North Jersey Special Olympics thanked the board for allowing use of the field. Michelle Van Allen praised the recent school play, reiterated concerns about the late bus, and suggested the district examine administrative staffing — proposing removal of one vice‑principal position — to preserve student services; she also asked that a second public comment period be restored to the agenda.
Board members recorded the public comments for the minutes; the transcript records concerns but does not show a formal board decision to change transportation service during this meeting. Superintendent David Carr had earlier referenced a March 11 bus evacuation drill but did not commit the board to a specific budget change in response to the late‑bus concerns.
The comments register parent and community concern about access to after‑school opportunities if the late bus is eliminated; no formal motion or vote to cut or retain the late bus appears in these minutes.
