Sheehan: 'Excellent Start to the School Year'

Attleboro Superintendent Kenneth Sheehan told the Attleboro School Committee this week that, especially given the many first and second year administrators, the first week of school was a success.

"I think that this was an absolutely excellent start to the school year," he said Monday in a meeting that aired on DoubleACS. "An excellent opening. With all of the perameters and everything you've got to think about, it was excellent."

That isn't to say there weren't "bumps in the road," Sheehan said, pointing to transportation as one component that is still working out kinks.

Business Manager Tom Rose explained that of the 260 Attleboro students who applied for "fee for service," 125 were riding a bus this week. He said the school district has the "potential to bring on the remaining 135," in the coming weeks.

School Committee Chair Michael Tyler reminded parents that state law does not require Attleboro to bus students living within two miles of the school. While "fee for service" is in place for those students, the city may not always be able to accommodate those who sign up.

Students living further than two miles from the school are guaranteed a seat on the bus.

"We cannot take that seat away from them by law," Tyler said.

School Committee member Brenda Furtado said the administration should address some of the flaws. For instance, she said, parents who write checks to the school department for "fee for service." see that they are cashed and assume it means a seat on the bus, which may not always be true.

She also expressed a need for a Pupils Transportation Director in the district.

Rose explained that this is the first year Bloom Bus Company has developed the schedules. In the past, school administrators took on the responsibility.

He pointed to the school's website for any parents who are unaware of where and when their child will be picked up by the bus.

Sheehan, who came on as superintendent over the summer, said he does not expect to see the same issues by next fall as he hopes to address them over the course of the year.

"I don't want to do this next summer," he said.