Hopewell Valley's busing dilemma

Facing increased financial burdens, Hopewell Valley Regional School District plans to discontinue its courtesy busing service, and pass the bill on to municipalities.

The district said its financial situation stems from state and local budget cuts, rising costs of energy and health benefits and "underfunded mandates" such as the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The decision earlier this month to no longer provide courtesy busing, also known as nonmandated busing, will save the district approximately $405,000 a year. It will take effect for the 2007-2008 school year and will affect 285 students who would otherwise be bused to school.

Mandated busing is required by the state for elementary students who live more than two miles from school and for secondary students living more than 2.5 miles away. These students will continue to receive busing from the school district.

The Hopewell Valley School District includes Hopewell Township and Pennington. Earlier this year, the district already decided to cut back on some courtesy busing for the upcoming school year, discontinuing the service for more than 200 elementary school students.

"If the school board decides they do not want to provide that (courtesy) busing then they can look to the municipalities," said Hopewell Township attorney Steven Goodell. "But the municipalities have discretion as to whether or not they want to provide the busing"

Hopewell Township voters this November will get to voice their opinions on whether the township should now pick up the bill for courtesy busing. Last week the Hopewell Township committee voted 4-0 to put the question to voters in the form of a nonbinding referendum. The results will be used as a guide for committee members but will not obligate them to follow the decision of the voters.

Members of the committee were surprised and distressed by the district's discontinuation of courtesy busing.

"We don't have any cash laying around in duffel bags," said Deputy Mayor David Sandahl about how the township will fund courtesy busing.

"Talk about a hot potato," said committee member Mark Iorio, about the controversial subject. "It's an administrative nightmare."

School board President Kim Newport said that the district had been researching and deliberating this move for over a year and the decision was "not a surprise."

She said that members of the board have all walked the bus routes and consulted with members of the public as well as the Hopewell police department.

"The costs of energy and health benefits are killing us," said Newport, who added that 80 percent of the district's budget is predetermined by mandated costs. "We are at the mercy of the busing companies, and that's an expense that is detrimental to us. So what we decided was to not pay for things that we don't have to pay for."

Newport said she believes the long-term solution is for the township to build sidewalks and improve the infrastructure of the roads to allow students to safely walk to school. Newport suggested the township look to the state for grants to help fund the projects.

"This would be a one-shot deal and it would not affect taxpayers again," said Newport. "This would be a win-win for taxpayers and everyone."

Iorio is skeptical of the practicality of this plan. "You don't just snap your fingers to get a grant from the state of New Jersey to build a sidewalk," said Iorio. "If they want to eliminate courtesy busing, don't put it on our backs. This is an issue where we're bouncing around a cost to the residents."

One parent, Rhona Wulf, told the township committee last week that she is concerned with the school district's decision.

"The parents are just going nuts," she said. "It's going to be a dangerous, dangerous nightmare for elementary students. It's interesting that they doubled the amount of attorney fees in the school budget over all-time highs ... but they won't spend to keep our children safe."

Sophia Pedersen, a resident of Hopewell Township, said that she believes the busing issue is only a school board issue. "I am insulted that they would just toss this to you," Pedersen told the committee. "The school board needs to get their priorities straight."