Lawrence School District Notebook: Busing Issue, New Computers, Town Hall

During the first week of school, buses dropped off students late to class, according to parents from Atlantic Beach.

“It’s disruptive to them and the teachers,” said Andrew Levey at the Lawrence Board of Education meeting on Monday. “The bus driver said it was physically impossible to get them to school on time.”

Superintendent Gary Schall acknowledged the problem, and said he is personally looking into it. He also confirmed that kids were being picked up from Inwood, driven to Atlantic Beach and then taken back through Inwood. Schall said he would ride the entire route on Thursday.

Trustee Dr. David Sussman questioned whether bus company Independent Coach modifies the routes once they receive them from the district. Schall replied that the routes are run through a computer program, drivers do a dry run through them and they come back with any changes.

The particular route through Atlantic Beach was given the green light, Schall said.

Other items discussed at the meeting:

• Schall will be naming an employee of the month who gets to use his parking spot. The first honor went to a member of the custodial staff.
• The Peninsula Kiwanis recently donated snacks to the district for kids in need, Schall said. More snacks will be brought in when needed.
• Schall thanked the middle school PTA for donating a Roland Digital Piano to the district. It was first used during the 9/11 ceremony on Monday.
• The board approved spending $97,576.20 on 151 notebook computers from HP direct. Board members said it is a great price.
• A town hall meeting will be held on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Number Two School. District administrators will be on hand to answer questions.