School committee approves three-year lease for four buses amid parent protests over broader transportation cuts

The Revere School Committee on July 22 voted to authorize a three-year financing commitment to lease two 77-passenger buses and two smaller buses so the district can operate some transportation runs with in-house staff rather than contracting out.

The move was presented to the committee by Mr. Cruz (identified in the meeting as “Mr. Cruz”), who said the financing agent under the district’s joint municipal contract requires a formal vote committing funds beyond the current fiscal year. “So the basics there are that whenever possible, we would like to operate our own school bus vehicles,” Cruz said. He told the committee the financing paperwork would be delivered to the financing agent the next day so the buses could be ordered and arrive for the first day of school.

Why it matters: parents and several public commenters said the decision to scale back district-paid transportation is being felt now by families whose children attend schools across the city under the middle-school lottery. Luis Cruz, who identified himself as a Revere resident, told the committee the change forces low-income families to scramble for childcare or rely on Boston’s MBTA. “The city should have done an aggressive campaign, notified parents ahead of time that the city was having major issue with the school bus transportation and funding will be cut,” he said.

Other parents described safety and logistics concerns. Karen Higuera, a parent of a student who will take two MBTA buses to reach school, asked whether tardiness would be excused when public transit is late or unreliable. “Will the school waive its tardiness? Or will my child be penalized?” she asked. Myra Cruz, another parent, said the early-morning walk and transfers in winter darkness are not safe for 10- and 11-year-olds.

Committee members and staff said the reduction of district-funded bus routes followed several years of using one-time federal and other funds to cover cost gaps that have widened with rising transportation expenses. The chair said the city provided about $9.7 million for school transportation this year — about $500,000 more than last year — and that prior one-time funds (such as ESSER/ARPA-type dollars) had temporarily bridged gaps that are no longer sustainable.

Formal action: the committee included the three-year lease commitment in the consent calendar and approved it by roll call. Recorded votes during the consent motion showed unanimous recorded “Yes” votes from members present (Anthony Cagiano; John Kingston; Ayesha Milbury Ellis; Jacqueline Monterosso; Frederick Sonalla; Patrick Keith). The committee directed staff to deliver financing paperwork to the financing agent immediately so the lease process could begin.

Discussion vs. decision: committee members discussed budget constraints, prior use of one-time funds, the middle-school lottery’s role in cross-city transportation needs, and the potential for administrative savings elsewhere. The formal decision was a financing commitment for leased vehicles; it did not change district policy on which students are eligible for school-funded transportation.

What’s next: committee members said they will continue to examine the lottery and other structural causes of cross-city transportation demand. Staff will complete financing paperwork and pursue delivery so buses are available by the start of school.