At the start of the 2026–2027 school year, West Milford Township Public Schools changed transportation routes that previously allowed many children to be picked up at or near their homes. Families are now being required to walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes to centralized bus stops serving students within a larger radius.

While consolidated stops may be reasonable for older students, they are not appropriate for young elementary-school children. West Milford families must navigate rain, snow, ice, extreme cold, heat, limited sidewalks, traffic, poor visibility, and uneven terrain. Parents caring for babies, toddlers, or children with additional needs may also have to bring those children on the walk twice each day.

This is more than an inconvenience. It is a matter of safety, accessibility, and whether the transportation system appropriately considers the age and needs of the children it serves. Families may feel forced to drive their children to school rather than complete a lengthy walk and wait outside in severe weather, potentially creating additional traffic and congestion around our schools.

West Milford residents already pay substantial property taxes, with many households paying more than $12,000 annually. Parents deserve transparency and meaningful input when an essential student service is changed so significantly.

We respectfully ask the West Milford Board of Education and Transportation Department to restore home-based or closer neighborhood stops for ONLY elementary-school students.

Transportation efficiency must not come at the expense of the safety and reasonable needs of West Milford’s youngest students.