New Lenox School Board votes to keep current busing plan

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Updated: March 20, 2012 8:15AM

NEW LENOX — When it came to busing options, the New Lenox School Board felt the current schedule was the worst possible choice, except for all the others.

With the state’s transportation funding shrinking and uncertain, the board voted Wednesday not to make changes to the bus system for next year.

“I live the effects of staggered start times,” said board member Deborah Kedzior. “I would like the junior high to come home first. However, we do not have infinite resources.”

Currently, the intermediate schools start first. Parents were asked to share their opinions of the six new options being considered in an e-mailed survey. Only 22 percent responded. Eleven percent asked to keep the same schedule. Five percent asked to have the junior high start and end first.

“With the lack of responses, that really bothers me,” said member Maureen Broderick. “If you want to have a voice, you got to do what we need you to do — take the survey.”

The board voted 5-2 to stay the same. President Nick Di Sandro and Sue Smith dissented.

The costs associated with having the junior high start first ranged from an additional $362,258 to $599,861.

“We do care what our parents feel,” Di Sandro said. “This is a hard decision.”