WESTFIELD – Pamela Kotarski, transportation director for the Westfield Public Schools, has had a busy month dealing with all the changes in the school bus schedules this school year.
“We’ve had some challenges. We’re down six buses,” Kotarski said.
In April, the City Council voted for a new five-year contract with Lecrenski Brothers in Russell after a months-long study led by Kotarski and four school principals. The new contract with the reduced number of buses was in response to many complaints about empty buses and low ridership. The bus schedules were restructured and consolidated from 35 to 29 buses, at an anticipated savings of $300,000 per year. The actual savings this year will be even higher, at $419,218.
The problems, according to Kotarski are time-wise in the afternoon.
“We’re not getting buses to elementary schools and to North Middle School until after school gets out,” Kotarski said.
In the morning, buses are running smoothly. High school students can be dropped off at 7 a.m., for their start time of 7:25. Middle school students can be dropped off at their start time of 8 a.m., and elementary students at 9 a.m. for their start time. “We have an hour for each run,” Kotarski said.
In the afternoon is a different story, though. High school is released at 2 p.m., middle school at 2:30, and elementary schools at 3 p.m., giving only a half hour between runs. St. Mary’s school is also included in the middle school run. “That’s where our problem is, timewise in the afternoon,” she explained.
“It’s been challenging. We’re trying to make adjustments right now. Some I’ve improved, but some we’re still looking at. I’m still looking at St. Mary’s, to see if I can shorten any of those routes,” Kotarski said. “It’s just the routing, and that’s what I do.”
Kotarski has been doing this for a long time. A lifelong resident of Westfield, she was originally hired in 1993 as a transportation contract representative. When George O’Brien retired in 2000, she became the transportation director. Then eight years ago, Kotarski became a part of business support, in addition to her other role.
Business manager Ronald Rix said the district is balancing cost effectiveness vs. convenience. He said they are meeting every state and federal guideline, as well as dropping students off at daycare and alternate sites, including the Boys & Girls Club.
“Our issue is the length of the runs and the size of the city,” Rix said. He said the longest time on the bus for any student is about 30 minutes. State law is an hour maximum on a bus.
Kotarski said they have had their share of complaints, but most people understand once it is explained to them. She also said Lecrenski Brothers is doing just fine, and she has no issues with them.
In response, district superintendent Stefan Czaporowski is proposing a transportation committee, and a transportation survey is currently posted on the district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org. This Friday is the last day to take the survey. Kotarski said one of the questions asks parents if they’re interested in serving on the committee.
“We’re going to take a look at the surveys, and just see what information we can gather from that,” Kotarski said. Meanwhile, she’ll be taking her long-delayed summer vacation next week.
