I am currently an 11th grade student at Franklin High School, and I have observed how much the after-school buses provided to students at Franklin Middle School and Franklin High School have had on granting me and other students the ability to support and extend our education. Due to the after-school buses, I and countless other students have had the opportunity to attend the various clubs and academic support services offered at the High School. For example, discovering the Robotics and Aviation Club has allowed me to truly find my interests. During the Covid-19 pandemic when late buses were not offered, I observed club and office hour participation to be very low or nonexistent. However, when the after-school bus program regained operation during the 23-24 school year, clubs, tutoring services, and teacher office hours were practically overflowing with engaged students eager to learn, socialize, and be a part of something. 

Late buses have a direct correlation on the percentage of students participating in afterschool services. However, beginning on May 1st, 2025, Franklin plans on eliminating the late bus service for this school year and the 25-26 school year. If the district succeeds with this plan, they will effectively rob our learners of these opportunities, as students will only be able to receive academic support and experience clubs if they have a ride, or if those services are offered virtually. Yet the issue with virtual office hours and clubs is that not all clubs and students fit into this framework. For example, those in the Robotics Club cannot build a robot virtually from home, and those receiving office hours services, may not be able to fully receive the support they need in a virtual format. Apart from the after-school bus program providing transportation home, it also provides transportation to the Franklin Township Youth Center, which can be a place where students can receive support services, play basketball with friends, receive mental health services, and much more. However, without late buses students will have a much harder time gaining access to these enriching services. Most students staying after school utilize late buses, and a large portion of these students do not have alternative transportation until late at night. If the district eliminates these buses, then it would disproportionately impact these students, who rely on these buses to boost their academics and their resumes. 

If Franklin Township Public Schools succeeds with their goal of cutting late buses, then our learners will effectively lose access to these amazing opportunities, which in turn could have a detrimental effect on students' development and personal growth. Ultimately if a Franklin student wants to utilize any of these opportunities, they should have access to those opportunities protected by the district. However, the truth is that Franklin Township Public schools are not working to protect our students' access to opportunities, in fact they are hindering it. It has been rumored from many sources that the late bus program for each school year only costs the district dollars for both the middle school and high school. For such a minor cost in the overall picture, it seems like a huge impact on the student's wellbeing and overall development. Each student has a different path to achieve with after school programs. Whether it is academic, sports or just hanging out until they are comfortable to go home, cutting the late buses will cause so much disruption in a student's life. Please sign this petition and share it with anyone within the Franklin community—let's make Franklin Township Public Schools protect our students! This petition focuses on the cutting of late buses, but it’s important to note it may just be the beginning. To my knowledge the district is also considering cutting deans, security guards, and sports teams that have less interest such as the swim and bowling team. These potential cuts highlight a disturbing trend, a trend where student support systems are undervalued. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we start sparking tension, starting with late buses. As a community, let's not allow the district to get away with this, just because they think we won't stand up. I encourage any students, parents, or community members to stand up against the school district and speak up at the next board of education meeting on April 24, 2025.