Bonsall School District keeps parents in the dark

The Bonsall school board and superintendents were not pleased to see around 200 parents attend the March 18 board meeting. Parents were shocked to find out that home-to-school transportation was being eliminated and they showed up in droves.

Communication from the district has been very limited and only provided in English, leaving Latino parents out of any communication link. Many parents wanted to speak but were cut short and not given the opportunity.

Eliminating transportation creates a hardship on hardworking parents who are already over-stressed in the recessive economy. To make this kind of budget cut without consideration for the safety and wellbeing of children is unpardonable.

The 88-square-mile rural district has many parents who both have to work and some have only one car. Parents have said they would be willing to help subsidize the cost of busing.

If the board and superintendent were willing to communicate, a remedy could be found to save most of the $460,000 busing expense. The bus fleet is old but still in a well maintained condition.

The district wastes a tremendous amount of money in areas that are very poorly managed.

What is going to happen to children who are left at school early or late? Who is going to foot the bill for their safety?

Gail Lindstrom

Bonsall