Curious Why Busing Continues In Boston

At a time when schools need every dollar, is it time to end busing in Boston?

Tony in Peabody thinks so; he Declared his Curiosity:

"Boston could save a ton of money for expenses such as buses, drivers and maintenance."

Even though there are tens of millions of dollars at stake, some parent say "not so fast."

The buses first rolled in the early 1970's due to court ordered desegregation. But more than 30 years later, with the schools majority minority, hundreds of yellow buses are still on the road.

THE EXPENSE

"The Boston Public Schools spend a great deal on transportation," said Boston School Superintendent Carol Johnson. In fact the schools are spending about $78 million this year on transportation.

In 5 years: "It would cost about $100 million if we did nothing," Johnson said. And 'nothing', she said, is not an option. "We need those dollars to improve the quality in schools, making sure students have more arts and music opportunities, more science equipment, more technology."

It is not possible to end all busing. Special Education transportation costs are about $30 million, and that can't be cut. A hefty amount remains.

Mayor Tom Menino and Superintendent Johnson want to cut back and put the money saved into the classrooms. So what's stopping that?

WHY NOT STOP BUSING?

"You can not eliminate busing until you have addressed the real issue, which is how you improve the quality of the schools," said Myriam Ortiz, the Executive Director of the Boston Parent Organizing Network. She says underperforming schools must be fixed before parents will give up the wide range of school choices they now have, and let their children walk to a neighborhood school.

"You can not force a person, a family, to choose a school they know is underperforming," said Ortiz.

HOW BUSING WORKS

Here's how the system works. Boston is divided into three large zones and parents can choose schools in their zone. So, buses are needed to get most kids to class. Last year the administration tried to expand to five zones to shorten and eliminate bus routes and save $10 million. But some parents said 'no way.'

"The 5 zone proposal was not showing the road map of how schools were going to be improved," Ortiz said.

PROGRESS…

This year something has changed. Recently the school administration announced plans to improve a dozen underperforming schools. The plan calls for the replacement of some principals and teachers. The goal is to bring all the schools to a certain level of achievement.

The stakes are extremely high for the students, parents and the city as a whole. Any turnaround will not happen overnight and meanwhile, the buses will continue to roll.

Make your voice heard. Add your comments to this story and read what others have to say.

© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.