Your voice is needed on October 16th 6-7pm at high school today

Take a close look at the picture above. This child could be the next statistic in the dangerous roads of South Plainfield NJ, and

The Board of Education in this town chooses to ignore facts, pleas of the public, and leaves a trail of ignorant lies. 

WE WANT OPTIONS NOW. 

Let's unpack some facts.

Reference: 8600 Student Transportation Bylaws: https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=8600&id=6ee753316f7540a7930a238a3dcaee91

1. Route from child's home to school is measured by shortest walking distance.

• Many students get disqualified due to these two rules
  • Preschool through grade 8 – Over 2 miles
  • Grades 9 through 12 – Over 2.5 miles
• Parents do not and cannot argue against this - We are okay with this. 

2. However, the bylaws state:

"The Board will approve all bus routes each school year. The Board may consider, but shall not be limited to, the criteria outlined in N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1.5 in determining “Hazardous Routes.”"

• The Board HAS NOT considered this for students where this group of parents have raised this petition. 
• Fact: The Tap Into article the board said:
  • “For the 2024-2025 school year, all potential hazardous areas were considered by the board when rendering a decision,” Cassio said"
    • Parents: No they were not. The board is supposed to work with the South Plainfield township and when parents spoke to the safety team, they were unaware. 
    • Parent: Asked for help from the township who put crossing new guards as the only thing they could do. 
    • Parent: Township was NOT aware, or had ever seen the Board of Education " N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1.5" law which states criteria to measure hazardous routes. 
• Fact: "For us, subscription busing is not an option. We do not and cannot offer subscription busing because we do not have the seats available on the buses we currently have,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of the seating capacity is accounted for and any additional space would need to go to any student who meets the criteria and who is eligible, first. We have to leave five-percent capacity open to any students who move into the district throughout the year.” 
  • Bussing was taken away with the transportation team claiming that $4million in budget was taken away and no bus drivers available.
  • Bussing IS provided to some parents who live less than the designated distance. Parents confirmed that there are cases where school employees with children who do not have special needs get regular bussing. Also confirmed by parents who have signed this petition. 
  •  At this point we do not trust that the board can confirm this statement. 
• Fact: Paper trails and bread crumbs of lies
  • "According to district officials. only one parent has reached out via email on this issue with either the  superintendent and/or a board member responding each time." Then why not give this one parent the transportation.
    • I mean, the petition at the time had over 150 signatures and is up to 234. How would they claim this?
    • Parents have confirmed that they reached out to the transportation. Another indication of lies. 

3. When parents asked Mr Cassio, what is the definition of Hazardous routes, he failed to answer this. 

• Fact: Here is the Board Committee responsibilities. Note there is only one person responsible for liaison with the township : https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3007/SPSD/2677939/2024_Board_Committees.pdf  
• Fact: School Board of Education representative is missing in South Plainfield Safety Council. Which also confirms that the safety officer has never heard of these board of education laws.  https://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Departments/Commissions/Traffic%20Safety%20Advisory%20Board/

4. Detailed information of where there are hazardous routes were escalated to Trenton and Middlesex Superintendents office. This office agreed that we had all the facts and had reached out to the school district. Who also ignored the facts. 

5. The Board told local news agencies that the responses to parents were satisfactory. No they are not. We still don't have alternates or subscriptions available to us.

6. Woodbridge, NJ, and other neighboring districts have taken action. Some of these townships where representatives on this board live. 

Here are some facts from parents to the Board and School District.

1. We are not satisfied with your responses and lack of duty.
2. We will hold the board and individuals responsible for any future deaths or injuries of our children. 
3. You have lost trust from the public and therefore we see you are unfit for the oath you have taken as board members. 
4. We will escalate this and continue to do so.

References: Tap Into South Plainfield Article: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-plainfield/sections/education/articles/south-plainfield-parents-not-eligible-for-transportation-launch-online-petition