The school board approved a resolution to spend $5,112 on a bus to prom, with no cost to the students, on Tuesday night.
"It's a regular practice in Hudson County," said Ruth McAllister, one of the school board members. Because a high number of students in the district are on free and reduced lunch, they don't have cars, McAllister said. A bus from the school district is the best way to get the students back to Hoboken safely, she said.
A district-sponsored bus is also supposed to prevent drunk driving among the teenagers.
While some members questioned the cost on Tuesday and some parents asked why there is no busing of students in the district, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback explained that busing students inside Hoboken can't be done because of legal reasons.
The district can't just bus a group of students, it would be responsble for all students in the district, including the charter and private schools.
"I think it's the only way to be in control (of the event) and make sure nothing happens to our young people," McAllister said.
The Hoboken High School prom is on May 31 at The Manor in West Orange.
PeoplePlease
12:19 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I think this is a good idea...but not for the reasons explained above..."Because a high number of students in the district are on free and reduced lunch, they don't have cars."
@fawn liebowitz
2:56 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
What does whether or not a kid gets free/reduced lunch have to do with busing kids to a prom?
Ojo Rojo
9:27 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Kids who are on free or reduced lunch can't exactly afford a car service or limo to take them to West Orange and back and the school wants to make sure they get there and back safely.
Laurie Michelson
9:27 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
$5100.00?!!!!!! That's insane.
Ojo Rojo
10:33 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
It does seem high. I do hope that covers more than the cost of 1 bus.
Redwing forever
9:27 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
This has been done for years not by the tax payers but by the class club and the kids going to the prom, this is why this district is so out of control FREE LUNCH are you going to pay for the kids to go away after the prom Ruth is off line on this there is no free lunch,
CuriousGal
11:48 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
a) I just received 2 quotes over the phone for a chartered bus from 5PM to 2AM was got quotes of $3000 and $3500. $5100 seems excessive. Also, a school bus or two could be used for the prom and for simply the cost of a driver(s) and fuel- translation: hundreds of dollars, not thousands.
b) The School Board/Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback could have easily gotten a wavier this year to bus students within Hoboken on a temporary basis due to impact of Sandy. They know when to ask for waivers to exceed the 2% budget and stopping people from voting on the budget-- but they don't know how to ask for a waiver to suspend busing rules post-Sandy? Who is kidding who?
c) EVERYONE is in favor of safety for the prom students. But I do not believe it is being down in a cost conscious manner.
Outofcontrol
11:03 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
If it prevents one horrific accident, then the $5100 is well worth it. This is the time of year when we will undoubtedly hear or read about a terrible prom related tragedy somewhere. Thank God the board has the foresight to make a small investment in safety.