DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Parents in Deptford Township, New Jersey blasted school leaders Tuesday night over a since-rescinded policy that would have charged some families whose kids ride the school bus.
School officials spoke publicly for the first time since the controversial policy was rescinded. A letter sent to families on Aug. 9 stated students who lived less than 2 to 2 ½ miles from their school would no longer receive free courtesy bus transportation.
Superintendent Kevin Kanauss said the decision was a financial one. Three days later, after feedback from the community, they nixed it.
“Our board committee and administrative team decided to pull back on the transportation plan for the ’24-’25 school year out of respect for the families and the short notice provided to the parents and the guardians,” he said to the packed school board meeting at Deptford Middle School on Tuesday.
Kanauss said the board had reviewed the district’s transportation model and services and discovered many buses were running at half capacity.
“I’ll do better in the future in notifying the community and municipality of any changes further in advance and including them in conversations that will have a global impact on Deptford moving forward,” he added.
Although the plan was revoked, parents still voiced their concerns to the board on Tuesday, including worries about safety, transparency and a lack of information in the original notice.
“The kids have to be safe no matter what,” said one parent. “They have to be safe. My tax dollars should go toward my son being safe.”
Others said the town lacks proper sidewalks. Residents like Derek Stallwood pointed the finger at elected officials, who have more control over such infrastructure-based complaints.
“Deptford School District can’t put sidewalks on county roads. Deptford Township can lobby the county, though, to get sidewalks put on those county roads and make it safer for kids to walk,” he said.
Jim McDevitt, chairman of the transportation committee, apologized to meeting attendees.
“We said, well, we don’t want to raise taxes. We don’t want to cut all these teachers that are here to educate our kids. We had to make a tough decision, and so we sent the letter. And I apologize for that,” he said.
“We’re going to look at this very closely and we’re going to do better,” he continued. “We can’t do this. God forbid one child got hurt, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
Officials said alternative solutions to address financial challenges will be explored.