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Local News 150 STUDENTS, OR ABOUT 10% OF STUDENTS WHO APPLIED, WERE NOT PLACED ON A BUS ROUTE, ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT. Families in Stoughton are frustrated after more than 100 students
did not receive a spot on the school bus this school year. Stoughton Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Baeta announced Friday that 150 secondary school students won’t receive bus
transportation to and from school. Families joined a virtual meeting Monday to discuss their concerns about getting their children to school starting Sept. 3. Many parents who spoke said
they work during drop-off or pick-up. “I’m a single mom, so I have no option of picking him up, I don’t work from home, I have no other choice but to have him take the bus,” a mother of a
sixth grader said at the meeting, according to Boston News 25. Advertisement: A spokesperson for the district said more than 50 parents attended the meeting and “we appreciated being able to
hear their concerns, as well their personal situations as it relates to busing.” The district said they placed students on buses as their applications were received during the month-long
enrollment period. With an increase in the number of students applying for spots this year, about 10% of students were turned away. “We understand the feelings of disappointment and
frustration this caused for the families who did not receive bus transportation,” Baeta wrote. “We feel it is important to explain this situation to all of our families to allow you to
better understand how we arrived at this point.” Advertisement: The district received 162 more applications this summer than the previous school year, granting transportation to 1,379
students out of 1,529 applications. SPS said all elementary school students who applied for bus transportation were placed on buses, but 75 middle schoolers and 75 high schoolers were not.
The district said they are not required to transport students in seventh grade through 12th grade. Middle and high school students living within a half mile of their school aren’t
eligible for bus transportation as well, Baeta wrote. “My daughter is on the (individual education plan) and I’m just concerned because having her walk anywhere, I mean, that’s a liability
for everybody,” another mother said at the meeting, according to NBC10Boston. “I’m also, too, a working mom.” Despite an increase in students needing bus transport, SPS is funding one less
bus than the previous school year due to budget constraints, SPS said. The school district is operating two additional buses to transport students from hotels and shelters being used by the
state’s emergency family shelter system, but those are paid for by the state. “It is inaccurate to suggest that these children receiving busing is the reason yours did not,” Baeta wrote. “If
we were not receiving the funding from the state for the students living in hotels/shelters, we would not be able to have these two additional buses.” Advertisement: A spokesperson for the
school said SPS is reviewing the bus lists for “any discrepancies” and will provide an update about further transportation next week. MOLLY FARRAR Molly Farrar is a general assignment
reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more. SIGN UP FOR THE TODAY NEWSLETTER Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox
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