Some parents are upset about changes in who gets bused to school.
Things are changing in Phillipsburg.
With the new high school set to hold its first classes Sept. 8, the uses of almost all of the district's other buildings are being shuffled. And with them are the ways students will get to school.
Some of the changes have inspired petitions from parents calling for all students to be bused and avoid crossing roads like Route 22 on foot.
District officials, however, say they are abiding by state law and have worked with town police to make sure potentially problematic intersections are manned by crossing guards.
In fact, administrators say that the number of buses used in town is increasing from last school year.
"This wasn't haphazardly done," Superintendent George Chando said.
Parents see their children off on the first day of school Aug. 25, 2014, at the intersection of Fisher Avenue and Anderson Street in Phillipsburg. (Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com file photo) With the district steaming toward the opening of the new high school at Roseberry Street and Belvidere Road in Lopatcong Township, the other buildings have been repurposed for different grade levels. The former high school, for example, will be the new middle school.
New Jersey law mandates districts provide transportation for students living within 2.5 miles of the high school or 2 miles of lower-level schools.
With the changing locations of the grade levels, some students who now fall within the radius would no longer be bused -- or vice versa -- which has some parents concerned.
"Parents are fully aware of the law," resident Tameeka Chang said in an open letter sent to lehighvalleylive.com. "However, with the new high school students would have to cross Route 22 east- and westbound to get to the school, not to mention the driveway to the school is a mile uphill. This is a safety concern for the community."
A petition has circulated in print and online calling for all students from kindergarten through high school to be bused to school. The petition on change.org had about 750 signatures as of Wednesday.
When you can see the new P'burg High School
However, administrators say they cannot afford to bus all students and that the transportation plan has been approved by county education officials.
In the town of Phillipsburg last year, 32 buses were required, according to figures provided by district Business Administrator Staci Horne. But with this year's changes, the district will use 35 buses in town, she said. Both figures exclude required transportation for students with special needs.
The high school alone last year had one bus for students in town, not counting sending districts. This year, it will have six, Horne said.
Students in sixth grade and above crossed Route 22 in previous years, and crossing guards will again be in place for them, administrators said.
The district website provides suggested walking routes on each school's page, the result of a collaboration with town police, Chando said.
Horne said she has explained the methodology behind the transportation decisions to some parents who have contacted her with their concerns.
"I've been in the district for 20 years and I understand the concerns," she said. "I have children of my own so I understand (parents) and transportation and getting kids to school and from school. There's nothing more important in the world."
MORE INFORMATION
The district asks that anyone with questions about student transportation contact Business Administrator Staci Horne at 908-454-3400.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.