Parents rally outside Perth Amboy BOE in protest of courtesy busing ending

The district had previously offered courtesy busing for K-8 students who live within two miles of the schools. That was removed this year.

Tom Krosnowski

Sep 25, 2024, 9:42 PM

Updated 20 days ago

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Some Perth Amboy parents say their complaints are not being heard after the district canceled courtesy busing.
More than a dozen families marched to the Board of Education Wednesday in protest, chanting, “We need transportation!”
The district had previously offered courtesy busing for K-8 students who live within two miles of the schools, but that was removed this year.
Parents say the choice is to either call in late to work to drop off their kids or have them walk along unsafe roads.
“The preschool kids, it’s ridiculous,” said Pat Paradiso, president of the group Perth Amboy Federation. “How do you get these babies to school, when the parents don't drive?”
“These drivers out here don't have any consideration for anybody over here,” said parent Jeeidy Morales.
“At least get the elementary kids going on buses,” said parent Aneudys Peralta. “Don’t take it all away from kindergarten and then expect people to walk from the other side of town in an urban area.”
“For the safety of our kids, for the safety of our community, we need them back,” said Gailma Espinoza, an older sibling of elementary school kids.
When they pressed the school board for answers at the last meeting, parents say all they’ve been told is there is no room in the budget.
News 12 reached out to the district for comment but did not hear back.