The Ridgewood Board of Education is considering cutting school bus service to parts of our community — and this Friday, they may move forward with that decision.

This isn't just an inconvenience. Without bus service, children would be forced to walk/bike across Route 17, one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in NJ. There are no safe crossings, few sidewalks, and no acceptable alternative for our kids to get to school. This is a safety crisis, not a budget line.

We are asking the Ridgewood Board of Education to keep our children safe and maintain bus service to all affected routes. Please sign and share this petition before Friday's meeting — and show the Board that Ridgewood parents are united on this.

3/18/26: Final Update: Salem Ridge Bus Service Protected!

Tonight, we showed up — and it worked.

Tonight the Ridgewood Board of Education announced that after receiving an overwhelming volume of emails and phone calls from our community — and facing a nearly standing-room crowd at tonight's meeting — they wished to clarify that residents living east of Route 17 are not, and will not be, considered a "courtesy busing" area. As such, our neighborhood will not be under consideration for any service cuts.

That means Salem Ridge is protected.

This happened because of you. Every email sent, every call made, every neighbor who showed up tonight sent an unmistakable message: this community is paying attention, and our children's safety is not negotiable.

Several people deserve special recognition tonight. To Jen Pisani, who first shone a light on these BOE discussions — to everyone who emailed the Board, signed this petition, forwarded it to a neighbor, or took time out of a busy Wednesday night to attend in person or virtually — thank you. You proved that an engaged community is the most powerful force in local government.  Super special thanks to our friends from other neighborhoods that took time to support us, and even come out to tonight’s meeting with us! 

I also want to note for the record: the legal framework that helped protect us tonight — New Jersey statute 18A:39-1 — requires that busing distances be measured by actual walking route, and that any hazardous route determination be made in coordination with municipal officials. Those aren't technicalities. They are protections that exist specifically for neighborhoods like ours, and it is worth knowing they are there.

We'll continue to stay engaged and make sure tonight's commitment holds.

With gratitude, Salem Ridge Strong!

3/17/26: Important Update:

The Board of Education will now meet tomorrow, Wednesday March 18th at 6pm at the Ridgewood Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Third Floor. Public comment follows the opening of the meeting. Please do everything you can to attend and voice your opinion.  Bring a neighbor, another parent, a grandparent. The more of us in that room, the clearer the message.