New Transportation Supervisor Fields Bus Route Concerns at

Berkeley Heights families attended Thursday night's Board of Education meeting to raise concerns about bus routes ahead of the school year beginning Tuesday. The concerns followed a 50 percent increase in subscription busing fees and bus route confirmations that were not released until August 25, one week before school started.

Patricia Pineas Landsberg of Washington Street told the board that families who opted into subscription busing were asked to pay the increased fee by June 30 with no explanation provided. She noted that Bus 1, serving Washington and Prospect streets, had a pickup time set for 7:18 a.m. for a school day beginning at 8:25 a.m., compared to last year's 8:05 a.m. pickup time. Roughly five children, including a student with special needs, are affected by this change. Landsberg called on the district to confirm routes and pickup times before summer break in future years and review why pickup times shifted so dramatically.

Transportation Supervisor Greg Cohen, who started with the district at the end of June, addressed concerns directly. He stated he has had multiple conversations with affected families and is looking at consolidating some bus stops to reduce route time by five to eight minutes. He also noted he is reviewing safety concerns along Mountain Avenue and Diamond Hill where buses cross roads he considers hazardous.

Business Administrator Jennifer Nicholson explained that route development depends on updates to the student information system PowerSchool and routing software Traversa. She said a mismatch between systems this summer caused some prior school assignments to persist incorrectly. Nicholson noted the subscription busing portal was intentionally closed June 30 to establish accurate ridership before building routes.

Cohen stated his goal is to release information earlier in the future and that he intends to send a follow-up communication to families before Tuesday. Board President Deb Tererro and Superintendent Dr. Kim Feltre acknowledged that administrative turnover and system delays contributed to this year's compressed schedule. The Finance and Facilities Committee reported that subscription busing sign-ups exceeded last year's numbers and that test drives were scheduled for August 27 and 31.

Union County Life covers Berkeley Heights school board decisions, education policy, and community news. Stay informed about Berkeley Heights schools and announcements on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: Why did Berkeley Heights bus route confirmations come so late?
A: Route confirmations were not released until August 25, one week before school began. Business Administrator Jennifer Nicholson attributed the delay to mismatches between PowerSchool and Traversa routing software this summer. The subscription busing portal was intentionally closed June 30 to establish accurate ridership before building routes.

Q: How much did Berkeley Heights subscription busing fees increase?
A: Subscription busing fees increased 50 percent. Families who opted into busing were asked to pay the increased fee by June 30 with no explanation provided.

Q: What specific bus route concerns did families raise?
A: Parents reported that Bus 1, serving Washington and Prospect streets, had a pickup time set for 7:18 a.m., compared to last year's 8:05 a.m. pickup time. This change affects roughly five children, including a student with special needs. The later pickup time occurs for a school day beginning at 8:25 a.m.

Q: What changes is Transportation Supervisor Greg Cohen making?
A: Cohen, who started at the end of June, is reviewing safety concerns along Mountain Avenue and Diamond Hill. He is also looking at consolidating some bus stops to reduce route time by five to eight minutes. He has promised to release route information earlier in future years and to send a follow-up communication to families before Tuesday.

Q: Why were subscription busing sign-ups higher this year?
A: The Finance and Facilities Committee reported that subscription busing sign-ups exceeded last year's numbers. Test drives were scheduled for August 27 and 31.

Q: Where can I find more Berkeley Heights school information?
A: Union County Life covers school board meetings, education policy, and transportation updates. Contact Berkeley Heights Board of Education at (908) 464-3613 for specific route or fee questions.