Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office welcomes the news that the Howell Board of Education has approved a contract with the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA), potentially allowing busing services to be provided for hundreds of additional children beginning with the 2025-2026 school year who have not been receiving busing until now.
The commitment demonstrated by the Board in reaching this agreement underscores a dedication to ensuring the safety of students within the Howell Township community. Agudath Israel commends the Board’s proactive efforts to address the crucial need for reliable transportation solutions, as the township continues to grow.
New Jersey law mandates that school districts provide busing to eligible students within the district. But as communities continue to grow and expand beyond district borders, parents of students who do not meet eligibility criteria are forced to spend hours in the car every day transporting their children to and from school.
The LSTA developed efficient bus routes for over 50,000 schoolchildren in Lakewood Township during its initial three-year trial and the following five years. More importantly, since the district no longer managed the busing, families could now purchase bus service for children who weren’t required to be bused. Additionally, private consortiums like the LSTA have more flexibility than government agencies in negotiating contracts, allowing for better terms with bus companies.
Earlier this year, the Jackson and Toms River Boards of Education signed similar agreements making this the third under a recent law signed by Governor Phil Murphy following nearly a decade of advocacy by Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey Office, Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, and others.
Agudath Israel looks forward to witnessing the positive impact this transportation agreement will undoubtedly have on the quality of life for many families who will no longer have to spend money and time on their morning and afternoon commutes.
“As envisioned, the busing bill will have far-reaching implications for school children around the state,” said Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey Office, “We look forward to hearing of similar agreements with districts around the state.”
Notably, this latest agreement is the first with a district outside of Ocean County.
“Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) has been working tirelessly on this issue for nearly eight years, and we are extremely grateful for his advocacy on this issue as well as the sponsors of the bill, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-6), and Senators Vin Gopal (D-11) and Bob Singer (R-30),” Schorr added.