Drivers advised to watch for kids as school year begins
The New Jersey Comptroller reports 109 bus companies have failed to hand over documents related to its drivers.
More Stories
The majority of schools in New Jersey start classes on Thursday, but a select few started Tuesday, including the South Orange-Maplewood School District.
There’s a large digital sign along busy South Orange Avenue to remind every driver passing by to keep an eye out for students who will now be crowding sidewalks and crosswalks after school.
The sign reads, “back to school, eyes up-phones down, kids around.”
The district has a total of 7,000 students in 10 schools - and many of them walk to and from school.
Parents say they are confident that their students will handle that responsibility and are slightly more focused on their kids having a good first day.
“It’s exciting it’s a big change for my sixth grader coming to middle school,” said Kelly Piccola, who has a sixth-grade son in the middle school.
Meanwhile, for those districts that rely on busing, there’s a new state report that could raise concerns.
The New Jersey Comptroller reports 109 bus companies have failed to hand over documents related to its drivers.
Specifically, information dealing with criminal background checks, commercial drivers’ licenses and driving violations.
The comptroller’s office says that doesn’t necessarily mean those checks haven’t been performed only that it hasn’t been reported.
