A parent’s petition for safety’s sake

The father of a fifth grader is calling on Saugus school officials to change the school bus transportation policy

By Mark E. Vogler

Alfonso Ceciliano has organized a petition drive through the social media site Change.org in an effort to influence Saugus Public Schools officials to revise its school bus transportation policy. More than 70 people had signed the online petition by the deadline for this week’s edition of The Saugus Advocate. In addition, Ceciliano’s Letter- to-the-Editor published in last week’s newspaper drew 28 hits – most of them favorable – on the Advocate Newspapers’ Facebook site.

Ceciliano launched the campaign on behalf of his son Elias, “a bright fifth grader at Belmonte STEAM Academy,” but said he was also taking a public stand for all the children of Saugus who currently don’t qualify to ride on the school bus. “We live 1.6 miles from the school, and because we fall just under the 2-mile eligibility threshold, he has been denied access to school transportation,” Ceciliano wrote in his petition.

“As a family that currently faces financial hardships, we cannot afford private transportation, leaving Elias’s education and safety in jeopardy,” Ceciliano continued.

“Elias’s predicament is not an isolated case. Numerous families in Saugus, particularly those who are low-income or single-parent households, find themselves in similarly dire situations,” he said. “They are forced to make difficult decisions between their children’s education and their safety due to a policy that does not consider individual hardships. Many of these routes are unsafe for children to walk, increasing the risk of accidents and dangerous encounters.”

Ceciliano’s goal is to get the school district to re-evaluate and amend its current policy. “By lowering the transportation eligibility distance and incorporating considerations for families facing financial difficulties or unsafe walking routes, many children in Saugus like Elias will have a fairer chance at a safe and accessible education,” Ceciliano wrote.

The petition drive and Ceciliano’s recent Letter-to-the-Editor got the attention of the School Committee, as all of the incumbent members are parents of present or former school-age kids.

School Committee Chair Vincent Serino said he welcomes any dialogue with parents on issues that affect child safety. “We’ll re-evaluate the bus transportation policy,” Serino told The Saugus Advocate.

But Serino stressed that the school district’s fiscal situation is at the heart of a parental concern that “comes up every year.” “We can get three more buses, but at what cost? This isn’t something new,” Serino said.

“We could have 20 buses, and the issue would still come up. We’re no different than any other district. We’re facing what other communities are facing. There’s still a bus shortage. There’s still a driver shortage,” he said.

As a parent, Serino said, he can relate to the issue being raised by Ceciliano. “My four kids weren’t on the bus. They had to walk,” he said.

When reached for comment, School Committee Vice Chair Tom Whittredge encouraged the concerned parents to continue speaking out. “I understand the frustration of the parents affected. I see the petition on social media. A petition is not needed,” Whittredge said.

“They can come to the School Committee meeting with their concerns and be heard at public comment. The administration is already working on possible alternative transportation solutions,” he said. “I say the same thing every year. The School Department needs to change the way they do business. There has been some real progress in the schools over the last couple of years. A reduction in contractual services and a reduction in staff is nothing more than a progress killer.”

School Committee Member Stephanie Mastrocola said she appreciated Ceciliano’s efforts to share his concerns. “I understand how important transportation is and also the safety of the children as well. Please know this decision was not targeted at any specific income or family household. I would never deny a child education due to either of those factors,” Mastrocola said.

“These decisions are never taken lightly on my part. I have made phone calls, set up meetings and talked with people in other districts to see if there is a better way. This state at this time is facing not only a bus shortage but drivers as well. Along with yes, the cost of everything is going up,” she said. “Unfortunately, Mr. Ceciliano, changing the policy is not going to do anything about the current bus situation and cost. I have listened and will continue to try and find solutions. Thank you for reaching out.”

School Committee Member Ryan Fisher urged Ceciliano and other parents who are concerned about the school bus transportation policy to attend future School Committee meetings to participate in public comment periods. “The district has been very candid about the limitations of the budget, and like many surrounding districts, we’re offering transportation for mandated students as required by law,” Fisher said.

“I understand why someone would sign a petition. If I thought it would restore a service without requiring heavy cuts to classroom faculty, I’d sign it myself,” Fisher said. “I encourage those with concerns to come to School Committee meetings, reach out to us directly, and become involved in the budget process. There are trade offs and no easy solutions, and we can use all the participation we can get.”