Coloma parents concerned about busing changes, overcrowding

by John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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Increased enrollment at Coloma Community Schools has led to bus overcrowding and forced the district to stop in-town busing for grades 2 through 12. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Sep 9, 2008 at 4:49 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 11, 2008 at 10:24 PM EST

COLOMA, Mich. — During the school day, Coloma High School's band tunes its sounds for Friday's football game out in the field adjacent to the building.

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But it's sour notes from some parents in the district, concerned about sweeping transportation changes in the district.

The school board held a meeting about the changes on Monday night. Cynthia Massey attended the forum. She said the meeting had a big turnout, and many parents were angry.

"They couldn't get the answers they wanted because the board said they are still working on stuff," Massey said.

Massey's family lives a little more than a mile from the school her third grader attends. She learned at the meeting that changes would stop her daughter from boarding the bus.

"It's starting to get dark earlier," Massey said. "I don't want her walking because at the time they say the bus comes through here [...] it means she will be walking in the dark."

Coloma Community Schools Superintendent Terry Boguth declined a request to appear on camera, but released a statement to WSBT News:

"Some buses are overcrowded, this happens at the beginning of the school year, every year. Adjustments are being made every day and have been since the first day. We hope to have the problems fixed by next week."

Parents say the overcrowding stems from the schools accommodating full-day kindergarten. Enrollment increased this year from 80 students to 139.

Boguth said that means in-town busing will stop for grades 2 through 12 affecting children at the district's elementary, middle, junior and senior high.

Just like the school band, which continues to practice its sound and movement on the field, parents will also have to change their routines and move to a different beat. Especially Cynthia's family.

"They said the earliest that she could be dropped off at the school is 7:55 [a.m.]," Massey said. "That makes it difficult when I have to be to work at 8 o'clock in Paw Paw."

Boguth says since the first day, the district has been shifting some students from crowded buses to buses that aren't full.

As for reports that buses were so overcrowded some students were forced to stand — the district says that information has not been reported to the transportation department or administrators.

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