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Parents tell board students hear racial slurs, sexual talk and drug talk on district buses; ask for cameras and aides
Summary
During public comment on May 8, parents told the Quinton BOE that students are hearing racial slurs and sexual/drug-related conversation on buses, urged the district to install cameras and hire bus aides or buy district buses, and pressed the board on harassment reporting; the board did not record an immediate formal response or action at the meeting.
Parents and other members of the public urged Quinton Township school officials on May 8 to address student conduct and harassment on district bus routes, telling the board that younger children are exposed to inappropriate language and behavior.
Resident Amanda Ehle told the board that "racial slurs and conversations about sex and drugs are happening on the bus" and said assigned seats are not enforced; she asked why the district does not own its buses or install cameras and aides. Jennifer Watt recounted a May 8 incident in which her son "flipped off another student" and said high school students riding buses are exposing younger children to language and conduct they "shouldn—t be hearing."
Glenn Hofacker used public comment to raise questions about staff contracts (which positions are 10- vs. 12-month), administrative staffing levels and pay, and about harassment reporting procedures in the discipline handbook, asking "how to report harassment" and why his child had not been contacted in a reported case. He also asked whether the results of an NJSBA staff survey about the superintendent search could be made public.
Speakers asked specific operational fixes: cameras on buses, bus aides, district-owned buses and clearer enforcement of assigned seating. At the May 8 meeting the board did not record a formal commitment or vote on new transportation equipment or contracts; several of the parents said they expect administrative follow-up. The minutes record public comment and the board's acceptance of meeting minutes and motions on other agenda items but do not record an immediate board action in response to the bus-safety requests.
The concerns raised touch on student supervision, transportation policy and harassment reporting procedures. The board's next procedural steps—whether staff will prepare options or request funding for cameras, aides or bus purchases—were not specified in the minutes.
