School Budget: 3:30 Late Bus May Stay

After parents expressed concerns over losing the 3:30 p.m. late bus at a previous school budget workshop, Commack School Superintendent Donald James said this past Thursday that there may be reductions instead of an elimination.

"We initially talked about eliminating the 3:30 late bus. We heard from some members in the community who wanted us to reconsider that," he said.

James said that the district is doing an analysis of the number of students riding those late buses and that the district may modify the number of late buses, but not cut a complete run. 

"We’re looking at the buses and trying to reduce, but not eliminate either late bus run so that every child has a ride home," he said.

The initial spending plan proposed cutting the 3:30 p.m. bus rather than the 5:15 p.m. one, since most students who stay after school are there for athletics, which end at the later time.

“The value that you’re placing on that bus is my concern,” Theresa Burke said to the board of education in the previous workshop. She expressed that by eliminating the 3:30 p.m. bus, a student staying after for academic reasons would be less of a priority than one staying late for a sport.

The superintendent said that a final recommendation will be announced at the informal budget hearing on April 4 at 8 p.m.. Residents will be able to state their comments and concerns about the budget to the board during the meeting, as well.

Related:

• School Budget: Class Sizes to Remain Below Cap
• Letter to the Editor: Fresh Faces Needed on Commack School Board
• How Much More Can Commack School Taxpayers Take?