Back to School – Saugus Middle-High School students can’t ride the bus

By Mark E. Vogler

Saugus Public Schools began its 2025-26 academic year with a new policy this week: Middle and High School students won’t be able to ride the bus to and from the school. “Bus service will only be available to students who are required to ride by law,” Saugus Public Schools Supt. Michael Hashem said.

“This means that only students in grades K to 6, that live more than 2 miles from the school they attend will be allowed to ride,” he said.

The policy change had some parents wondering why they learned about the new policy on the week that school begins. But the superintendent said adequate notice was given before the start of the school year. “The email messaging went out on July 23rd and again in a newsletter on August 14th,” Hashem said.

Cancellation of the bus service for Middle-High School students was based on an economic decision, according to Hashem. “In June, as we do each year, the Saugus Public Schools adjusted our FY26 budget to reflect the actual funding we received. To protect essential educational services, the district, building administrators, and the Saugus School Committee made several budget adjustments,” Hashem said.

“One of these adjustments was to fund only the mandated transportation requirements. This means that only students who qualify under state guidelines will receive bus transportation. Families of students who do not meet these requirements will need to make alternate transportation arrangements. A transportation message was sent out to the families on July 23, 2025, informing them,” he said. “At this time, all students who qualify for transportation are being provided service. Because it is uncertain whether additional seats will become available at any point, we will not be maintaining a waiting list at this time.”

No information was available on the number of Middle-High School students who used school bus transportation last year.