School Budgets Forecast Serious Change, Cuts
The NYS School Boards Association and NYS ASBO have issued an important REPORT about school budget proposals that will be voted on this year. It is not a pretty story. The report depicts cuts in programs and teachers, reductions in maintenance, increased class sizes, closing buildings. reducing extracurricular activities and more. We note from the report that some 30% of districts have projected cutbacks in pupil transportation, including longer rides for those students who still have a ride on a school bus.
This budget season will mean serious cuts and changes for our schools and for school transportation. An expanding topic of discussion within our association will be about where these cuts take us in terms of transportation quality and access. NYAPT’s Board of Directors will expand its discussion of ways to increase the direct involvement and relevance of transportation to the learning enterprise and how to promote the benefits of transportation services to the school community overall. These kinds of discussions will be started at the state level but the most important will occur back in the district and chapter levels.
School transportation is an integral part of our schools, we share in the successes, we experience the difficulties and stresses, we provide for the children as much as any other discipline in the school.
This press release and the related report are important for all in school transportation to read.
To view the press release: CLICK HERE
To view the published report: CLICK HERE
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