Letter to Editor: Valley Stream to Consider Limiting Bus Service

The Truth March 13, 2013 at 12:05 pm

an old friend everything you are saying is the truth. please do not let anyone change your thoughts.

The Truth March 13, 2013 at 12:14 pm

everyone uses the administration salaries as excuses. That's a Fluke in education you get what you pay for. Salaries are a different portion of the budget that doesn't guarantee you more if you pay less. In most districts administration salaries are 1-2% of the budget. The most expensive part of the budgets is Teachers salaries, and anything you have to pay out for kids who don't go to your district. ie... busing, books, special needs.most private school teachers are not as qualified as public school teachers its not about education its about discipline and like you said and someone else confirm it when mentioned zoo's its another form of segregation.

Somethoughts March 13, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Let's put it this way... Your tax dollars pay for your trash to be picked up too. If you didn't like the way the town picked up your trash and decided to pay a private company to do it, that's your choice... And your expense. But, it doesn't exclude you from paying your taxes. Now replace it with school taxes. Just because parents THINK that the public schools don't provide a high enough quality education and they CHOOSE to send their children to private school, does not exclude them from paying school taxes. I have had many years experience with the Valley Stream School District and I have always been extremely satisfied with the quality of the education that it provides. As a matter of fact, I feel that the curriculum is far TOO advanced, but I have been told that the district is only adhering to state requirements. At any rate, I, too, have had to drive my children to and from school after fourth grade because they were not eligible for busing due to our home's proximity to the school. I have very strong opinions that busing should be available to ALL students and even though my children don't mind walking, I refuse to allow them to do so for safety reasons. My daughter has returned home and told me that a van with a strange man in it approached her. The need for busing is a safety issue. And as a previous poster stated, take a look at the traffic situation at VS North in the am. It is a tragedy waiting to happen.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 01:18 pm

Here it is, straight up, no confusion!!! There are NO school buses available at the public schools for the 7th thru 12th grade children PERIOD!!! REGARDLESS of how far you live from the school. DONE!!! They are just not there. So, once these public school children are allowed bus service to their district schools then I will be happy to fight for the "out of district" children as well. BUT, until ALL schools are granted the option of the bus, I am not concerned, nor worried, as a matter of fact, I am opposed to, the private and parochial school children having transportation to school when my children don"t. So again, I ask all of you here with an opinion, why do you feel it is fair that some children have the bus and some don't. I think it is a very nice option to have use of a metro-card at no additional cost to help get your children to and from school. And lastly, for now, I pay the same school taxes as everyone here BUT my children do not have a 7th to 12th grade bus available to them at all, no choice here people, it is just not available. Since the private and parochial school children do have the buses available maybe it is all of you private and parochial school parents who's children utilize the school buses that should be RETURNING OUR tax dollars...
@ The Truth: thanks for the words of support....

Thomas Nathan March 13, 2013 at 01:55 pm

@old Friend
Here is your answer straight from the school webpage As required by NY State law, the district offers free transportation to non-public schools which are more than two and less than 15 miles from home for 7th and 8th graders, and more than three and less than 15 miles from home for 9th through 12th graders So since your kids dont meet the two mile requirement they don't get a bus to public school. Next time try understanding the law before you state incorrect facts.

Somethoughts March 13, 2013 at 02:03 pm

"As required by NY State law, the district offers free transportation to non-public schools which are more than two and less than 15 miles from home for 7th and 8th graders, and more than three and less than 15 miles from home for 9th through 12th graders":
Well then, by definition, the Metro Card would be FREE transportation, since there would be no cost to students. The law would not be broken and bus service would be provided. And, for the record, my interpretation is that Old Friend did not state incorrect facts. Old friend stated how the situation might/should be changed so that it is fair (and safe) for ALL students.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 02:19 pm

The point still being, why do we have to pay for the private school children to get to and from an out of district school which they are choosing to go to? I wouldn't be allowed to send my children to an out of district public school would I? If you send your children to an out of district private school, pay for it! You live "outside the 2 miles" because you have chosen to send you children to a private school!! Again, you are choosing not to utilize the public schools. If you are given a Metro-card that would be considered FREE. So there is your free transportation that we the tax payers are still paying for..... I understand why you would not want your children to ride the public bus, it is the same reason I do not want my children to have to walk to school. Another thing, not that it effects you, but since my 9 year old 4th grader has lost the bus and my 7th grader does not even have a bus to use how do you expect working parents to get thier children to 2 diffreent schools at the same time? Do you undertsand that the buses are not even provided through the 6th grade for some? And we should care about private school 7th - 12th graders?
I say cut all the salaries and give all the kids the bus regardless of distance to school, then we will see what kind of administrators and teachers we will have left to educate our children.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 02:21 pm

Thank you, yes, fair and safe for all children. That is all that I am saying.

G. Miller March 13, 2013 at 02:31 pm

(and safe)....Funny, I don't see how having my niece walking a mile to one bus at 6:15AM then transferring in Hempstead then getting dropped off on Hempstead Tpke and having to cross Hempstead Tpke in Hempstead(which by the way was deemed as the deadliest road on Long Island) seems safe...This is turning into a case of "Why does your kid have what mine doesn't" and "If I can't have it then neither can you!"
Again, you are arguing against me and not the school district. Have you ever brought the fact of busing for fourth graders up to the district? Or are we just venting on a website? I am very involved in this fight. I BELIEVE THAT WE ALL DESERVE busing, considering the taxes we pay. You are arguing the district's point which doesnt help anyone at all.

G. Miller March 13, 2013 at 02:40 pm

Also, Old Friend....Your point being why should you pay for my child to take the bus? If your argument holds water, then why should a retiree or someone with no children at all have to pay for your kids to play the flute or have someone teach them kickball? Because its the law, and now the district is trying to "dance between the raindrops". No one has answered my question above...What do you think will happen when all the parents of parochial school children all of a sudden show up and register their kids for your schools? Any ideas?

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 02:42 pm

Yes, correct, as silly as it sounds, if my kids can't have it then neither should yours since it is my tax dollars paying for it. This has been brought up many many many times to the district and has been knocked down many many times at the budget vote. We have been asking for this for a long time, to no avail. I too "BELIEVE THAT WE ALL DESERVE busing". I am not arguing against you am stating my opinion ad I am sure the opinion of many many public school parents.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 02:48 pm

the more the merrier!! then we can all stand TOGETHER and fight the bus system. Point taken to your statement "then why should a retiree or someone with no children at all have to pay for your kids to play the flute or have someone teach them kickball?" They are a big reason we don't have buses for many of our 4th, 5th and 6th graders (and I absolutely understand their reasoning) because when it is time for the school budget vote the retiree or someone with no children come out and vote down the proposed budget!!!

Thomas Nathan March 13, 2013 at 02:49 pm

@old friend
I am not sure what you dont understand. STATE LAW says you must do it, plain and simple. It doesnt matter if you choose to go to school in or out of the district, this is what all taxpayers children are entitled too. If you are that desperate for busing move further away from the school.

Somethoughts March 13, 2013 at 02:55 pm

"STATE LAW says you must do it" And the district IS doing it, just not to the liking of the private school parents. I understand that public transportation does not afford the same level of safety (due to the dangers of Hempstead Turnpike, etc.) that private transportation does, but the point being made is not that the district should NOT provide transportation for private schools, but that transportation should be provided for ALL students, regardless of whether they are public or private. Instead of suggesting families relocate, perhaps the laws (including proximity to "in-district" schools) need to be revised and monies reallocated.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 03:02 pm

Agree again, the proximity issue should certainly be re-addressed for all students, public or private. They need to take into account the different world we are all living in. 25 years ago it was ok for children to be outside and play or walk to school. The automobile traffic was different, there were not as many "sicko's" out there just looking for an opportunity to grab a child off the streets. This world has changed and not for the good. So, do for one, do for all.

Thomas Nathan March 13, 2013 at 04:49 pm

@somethoughts
I hae no problem giving a metrocard to the private school kids for their trip. I have no problem giving a student metrocard to @old friend's kids either. I am sure they can find a public bus to serve their needs to get to school.

An Old Friend March 13, 2013 at 05:00 pm

this is what this whole conversation is about...... the problem is that the district wants to give the private school kids a metro card and stop the school buses, but the parents don't want that. they want their kids to continue to get a school bus. A Metro card would still be free transportation to and from their schools. I could be wrong but just an FYI..... I believe, but could be wrong, the closest public bus to North HS is all the way up on Franklin Ave??

Somethoughts March 13, 2013 at 05:25 pm

Perhaps I am not expressing my comments correctly. At its core, the issue as I understand it is that the Metro Card is not a suitable alternative for the free transportation the district is, by law, required to provide. It most certainly is.
I am by no means an expert, however, the situation as I see it is that “school bus” transportation for private school students is no longer feasible. I do not know the district’s reason -- Is it financial? Is it logistic? I do not know. At any rate, the district is PROPOSING another alternative that satisfies the requirements of the law it is required to obey. THAT is the issue. At this point in time, taking the buses away from in-district students who meet the requirements for same is NOT the issue.

So much complaining March 13, 2013 at 11:52 pm

I only wish parents were as concerned about their children's education as they are about the school bus. People will turn out in droves for a board meeting about their kids losing a school bus, but where were these parents when the budget is discussed at an open meeting. Where are these parents when the school board discusses any thing other than cutting sports programs, busing or where there children can park their car in 12th grade? Parents who complain about our public schools... I ask, "what have you done to make a difference", how involved have you been in your school district? Stop with the excuses already. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

vincent March 14, 2013 at 12:50 am

So much complaining: The answer is simple. Parents and taxpayers do not feel welcome or included in the process. The agendas are impossible to understand without supporting documents and the general sentiment is that votes are predetermined and almost never change. You are correct to ask why the parents do not show up but you also have to ask if they are made to feel welcome or informed.

Bobo March 14, 2013 at 01:31 am

It's state law that the district provide transportation

Bobo March 14, 2013 at 01:33 am

Teacher unions have destroyed America's education, and unfit parents who send their kids to school unprepared

jd March 14, 2013 at 01:34 am

I pay appox $8000 school tax for the privilege of having books and bus service for my high schooler. This year the bus took 1 hour to transport my child from school to Malverne - a 12 minute car ride. We are unfairly treated and ripped off each year! A decent quick bus ride is the least we could expect from our tax money!

G. Miller March 14, 2013 at 04:45 am

Really? This is still up on the site?

G. Miller March 14, 2013 at 05:27 am

Regarding above comments. The transportation is not "free". It cost me approximately $8,000.00 last year. So please don't think I'm some sort of moron that believes our voice or vote does not count. It does. The only way we will get what's due is to fight for it. I have been at school board meetings and never hear any or you people complain about reading programs, nor retirement benefits, nor health benefits or the such. In all seriousness, I hear no one of you ask what the district spends on those things, but the $120,000.00 is a problem. The $40,000.00 for lead removal in the rifle range wasn't an issue, but parochial school busing is? Seriously? Need I go further? There is another $80,000 to make up that difference without firing a soul I'm sure......

Thomas Nathan March 14, 2013 at 02:09 pm

@G Miller
Some of the issues you mention are either regulatory required or mandated by the state. Lets take a coomon topic in pensions. Local school districts have absolutely NO say in the matter. You hire a teacher here is their pension plan as mandated by the state and here is the cost. Benefits are negotiated through the union contract and while I dont know the specifics about Valley Stream, many teachers already pay on par with people in big companies pay. lead removal - schools were required to do this - again no chioice in the matter. Theremoval of lead and lead dust was required for air quality and other reasons.

Tom Grech March 14, 2013 at 02:14 pm

Malverne District 12 never looked so good.

S.M. March 14, 2013 at 10:16 pm

Must really suck to live in VS and Malverne. You have to send your kids elsewhere if you live in these garbage districts. Time to move!

An Old Friend March 14, 2013 at 11:28 pm

Most of us don't. We use the wonderful educational public schools that are available to our children. As long as you, S.M., don't live here in VS/Malverne it doesn't "suck".

Bobo March 16, 2013 at 01:24 pm

The "S" in s.m. Stands for sucks