Gloucester County school district cuts free bussing for some students

Less than one month before the first day of school, a South Jersey school district has announced plans to stop free bus services for some students unless parents pay an annual fee.

K-8th grade students in the Deptford Township School District who live within two miles of their school and high school students who live within two and a half miles of their school will no longer have access to free bus services.

Superintendent Kevin Kanauss announced the plan in a letter to families , saying that the district would also reduce the number of bus stops for this school year.

Kanauss said the changes would save the district $1.65 million each year. He said the savings would be allocated for security and school renovations, maintaining and increasing teaching staff, academic programs, classroom resources, and student support services.

Parents in the district, like Colleen Crawford, say they’re frustrated with the new plan.

“I can make it work. I think the most disheartening part of this whole thing is it doesn’t seem like the people who don’t have that village were thought of,” said Crawford.

Deptford Mayor Paul Medany is speaking out on the new policy, saying he and the local police department weren’t included in the decision.

“We feel this plan is extremely unsafe, extremely inconvenient for moms and dads to get the kids to school, and it’s extremely dangerous for kids in what – 3rd, 4th and 5th grade – to be walking to school,” said Medany.

For parents who still want their children to ride the bus, Kanauss said they have the option of paying a $365 annual subscription to use the bus service.

But, if a student with a subscription misses the bus three times and is present for the school day, their spot will be given to another student on the waitlist.

“So you’re paying this money and it doesn’t seem like you’re guaranteed for a full year. So you have to start thinking of the impact that could have on attendance,” said Crawford.

Kanauss said the district hasn’t received any funds from the New Jersey Department of Education to transport the students who live within the 2/2.5 mile radius, adding that the average cost to transport a student is $735 per year.

“We deserve better and our kids deserve better,” said Crawford.

The school district is set to give a public presentation on the plan at its next Board of Education meeting on August 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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