Applications Available for Courtesy Busing to Eisenhower Middle School

Parents whose students do not qualify for free busing to are being offered a chance to secure a spot on the bus, for a fee.

Applications are currently being accepted for six available seats on a pre-established route to the middle school, for $575 for the rest of the year. Three applications had been picked up as of Tuesday, said board President Rob Francin, and parents have until 4 p.m. Friday to submit their bids.

Board members said the choice to offer courtesy busing was a response to parents' concerns.

"It's been something that's been considered for a long time," said board Vice President Lisa Martone. "If the space is available, why not make it available to children?"

Francin said "we listened to what parents were asking for. 

"Especially with households where both parents work, people can have a difficult time arranging transportation to school," Francin said.

"We know that we have parents who work who have inquired about bus service," Martone said.

Currently, only sixth- seventh- and eighth-graders who live more than two miles from the Calvin Court school are bused for free. Under a recently adopted board policy, students inside of the two-mile zone can apply for a spot on the bus for the $575 cost, which was calculated by taking the cost the district is charged for bus service and dividing by the 54 total seats on the bus.

"We looked at buses and routes and saw we do have empty seats, so let's see if we can get them filled," Francin said.

The spots will be decided on a first-come, first-served basis, with no other considerations. However, if the district receives more applicants than available space, spots will be determined by the luck of the draw.

Francin and Martone said a lottery would be conducted by the administration, with the "winners" decided at random.

The administration expects to contact parents by next week to inform them of whether their child will have a spot on the bus.

"I'm really happy we were able to get this policy in place," Martone said.

Parents interested in vying for a spot are asked to submit the application (available for download at right) with a $100 deposit no later than the Friday deadline. Should their child not be selected in the event of a lottery, the deposit will be returned.

Bus stop locations are limited to:

• Old Woods and Woodfield roads;
• Old Woods Road and Clinton Avenue;
• Clinton Avenue and Lawlins Road;
• Franklin Avenue and Cresthaven Road;
• Vance Avenue and Miller Road;
• Albemarle Street and Chapman Place;
• Steinhauser Lane and Charnwood Drive;
• Between 726 and 720 Charnwood Drive.

For more information, contact Nancy Meyer at 201-848-5700, ext. 209.