Parent asks district to extend private-school busing radius after Bishop Grimes closure

A parent who identified herself during public comment asked the Central Square Central School District board to expand its private and Catholic school busing radius to accommodate students affected by the recent diocesan consolidation.

The speaker (Public commenter, S4) said the Syracuse diocese announced on Feb. 27 that Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School would merge with Bishop Ludden, moving some students to Bishop Ludden and placing several district families outside the existing 15-mile busing radius. “We are asking that due to the unexpected and very abrupt closure of Bishop Grimes, that you will allow Bishop Ludden Grimes to be included in the private and Catholic school busing radius and extend the current 15 mile radius to 17 and 0.5 miles,” the parent said. She proposed one pickup point at Brewerton Elementary and said families would be willing to pay a stipend to cover extra mileage if needed.

Superintendent (S2) replied that some questions will require legal review and that the district will consult the attorney and send information to affected families; he also said the district would check athletics eligibility and other logistics and aim to provide updates promptly. The board did not take immediate action; the superintendent said the district would notify Grimes families when the legal and operational review is complete.