Every student in Stoughton who needs a bus will have transportation at the start of the school year, despite initial fears of a shortage. The district announced that two administrators resigned, allowing for enough savings to add an extra bus for middle and high school students. This bus will run double routes for morning and afternoon commutes temporarily.
The shortage of buses was caused by an unexpected increase in bus transportation applications this year, with 162 more students applying compared to the previous year. The district had to prioritize students based on the order of their applications and ran out of seats before accommodating all applicants.
Superintendent Joseph Baeta and School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Weiss defended the decision, stating that the influx of migrant families in state-backed emergency shelters did not cause the bus shortage. They emphasized that the funding for buses for these families does not come from the operational budget of the district.
Despite criticism from outside town, Superintendent Baeta stood by his team’s hard work and dedication to provide transportation for all students. Reaction from the Massachusetts GOP has called for action from Governor Maura Healey to address the migrant crisis and its impact on the education system.
In response to the political commentary, Superintendent Baeta described it as “absurd” and emphasized that his team is focused on ensuring all students have access to transportation. The district plans to provide regular updates to parents and families as the school year progresses.
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