"Look, a Squirrel!" New Bus Trackers, But No Place to Park
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
On February 27, 2026, Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones updated families on the district's transportation strategy following a week of weather-related delays. In addition to announcing that Monday, March 9, would be a regular school day to recoup lost instructional time, Jones highlighted plans for a satellite-based bus tracking app—a move intended to provide real-time data to parents. However, this digital promise comes late in the season and as the district enters its seventh month of a contentious and unresolved bus parking situation.
Promises Made. Jones noted, "We have requested that all buses have the ability to be tracked by families using a satellite-based app on their phones," adding that it would be helpful on mornings when weather or road congestion impacts bus times. While Dr. Jones stated the technology is "coming soon," the district has not yet provided a specific rollout date—leaving families to navigate the final weeks of a challenging winter on their own.
Promises Kept? The promise of high-tech tracking contrasts with the physical conditions at Western Middle School (WMS). Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, the school has served as a makeshift terminal for dozens of buses following a change in the bus provider contract. The district has reportedly reviewed over 48 alternative sites but has yet to secure a permanent, off-campus facility that satisfies town zoning and logistics. Despite a January deal to move approximately 25 buses to St. Paul’s Church, roughly half the fleet remains at WMS. Parents and PTA leaders have filed complaints regarding oil leaks on the blacktop and the displacement of student recess from designated grass areas.
Between the Lines: The frustration is palpable among WMS families on social media. The parent complaints center on a simple irony: "Who needs an app to tell us where the bus is? We can see 60 of them from our kitchen windows destroying the middle school fields."