Families Want Solutions To 'Untenable' Bus Parking At One Of Greenwich's Middle Schools

GREENWICH, CT — Western Middle School families are urging Greenwich Public Schools to find solutions to what they call an "untenable situation" regarding dozens of parked buses on school property.

In a message to WMS families last Thursday, GPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones explained parking buses at WMS is only a temporary measure while the district works to secure a permanent, off-campus location.

"We find ourselves in this position because our original plan of parking in an off-site location fell through at the last minute. GPS has a real estate professional working to help us secure a new location," Jones wrote.

Over the summer, GPS, which had been using the First Student bus company for several years, switched to DATTCO for the 2025-2026 school year.

The buses at WMS are not allowed to park on the new turf playing fields there. Parking is limited to paved parking and a designated grass surface near the new turf playing fields. Facilities have marked underground infrastructure to avoid damage as an added precaution, Jones added.

Several PTA Council officials spoke about the buses during the Board of Education's regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 25.

PTAC President Lisa Sylvester said she stopped at WMS around 5:30 p.m. that day and counted 64 parked buses.

PTAC Facilities Committee Chair Frances Wu Nobay expressed disappointment at seeing the buses parked at the school campus, citing fumes, traffic, noise, oil leaks, and several bus drivers who are using limited staff parking.

"This is wholly unacceptable. We know you're working on it, but this needs to change immediately," she said.

WMS PTA Co-President Grace Natale, who was speaking on behalf of the WMS PTA Board, called the current situation "untenable."

She said over 60 buses are entering and exiting WMS from Western Junior Highway in a dense area each day as they begin and end their routes.

Until a permanent bus parking site is secured, Natale asked for the school district to solve the immediate issue of several buses that arrive at WMS when students are being dropped off and picked up.

"This is a huge traffic and safety nightmare for WMS students riding their bicycles, staff, families and the surrounding neighborhood," Natale said, noting recess is no longer able to be held safely on the designated grass area or blacktop.

Jones spoke after the public comment portion of last Thursday's meeting, and agreed with the points the speakers made.

"I have to mention the buses. I don't even like saying that word anymore because it has been definitely a very, very challenging year," Jones said, noting there have also been some issues with routing so far.

"From a route standpoint, the vast majority of buses are running the way they're supposed to. We still have a handful we're working on," she said.

"As far as when we will be able to move to a lot, we all wish it was yesterday," she added. "We have a real estate professional helping us locate a lot. We have some they're looking at right now. I'm hoping it happens sooner than later, but I cannot give you a definitive time."

There were no updates to the parked buses at WMS as of Monday afternoon, according to the school district.

In her letter last week, Jones said the district will continue to monitor operations closely to minimize noise, traffic, and facility impact. Updates will be provided as they become available.