Father Sues District Over Transportation

myles miller November 2, 2011 at 11:24 pm

why are we paying transportation costs for students to attend a charter school outside of our own district when we have fine schools here in centennial school district. What awaste of taxpayers money that could and should be used for our own schools. Let this father pay for his own transportation if he wishes to send his sons to schools outside of the district

Lisa Gresley November 3, 2011 at 12:39 am

And to think I am just trying to get my son on a bus to Klinger and am being told that he is on the outskirts of the 1 1/2 mile walking distance to school. He walkes up Maple Avenue from Willow all the way up to 2nd street pike. He needs to cross in from of the school under construction. This is a pure safety hazard and I am now in the process of going to the township to try and get a crossing guard. This is such a old standard that does not take into consideration traffic and the new volumes of cars on these roads. If I could take him to school and bring him home I would not have a problem. But I need to work 9-5.

Tired of Hypocrisy November 3, 2011 at 03:08 am

I commend the gentleman for taking the District to Court. The Transportation Director is inept. The bus stop changes, amount of children at the stops, etc., is ridiculous. By his own admission he used a computer program to assist him in deciding the stops. He did not take into account side streets, backyards, etc. A computer is only as intelligent as its user, obviously that explains the screwy bus stops this year. The entire Administration & School Board needs an overhaul. In all my years in Centennial I have never seen such disfunction, ignorance, free spending and arrogance with a disregard for the students, their education and safety. Mr. McGuigan I hope you win, would much rather my hard earned tax dollars go towards the transportation of your sons than for any more over-priced schools or overpaid administrators. Good luck sir.

Thomas Hezel November 3, 2011 at 01:47 pm

PA School Law requires districts to provide transportation to non-public schools for children attending them, providing the non-public school is within 10 miles from the nearest point in the district.

Parents of Boys November 3, 2011 at 08:36 pm

In my opinion if you choose to take your child out of the distric, you should be responsible for the transportation. I know there is a law, but laws were made to be changed. I find it funny that Tired of Hypocrisy wants this father to win. It is coming out of your pockets, the tax payer. We are already paying enough for school taxes in Centennial, this will just add to the debt. Not to mention the fact that one whole bus is used to take two children to the school! What a waste of gas, money, and time! I hope he losses!

Pete Krenshaw November 3, 2011 at 09:16 pm

I am not sure of the details of this case in particular but in general, Centennial School District is being run into the ground. There are several lawsuits in progress involving past administrators of the district. A single one of these is unprecedented and to have multiple is appalling. This tells me the leadership we have in place is sub-par at best. This goes to the District Board Members as well as the administrators they have hired over the past several years. Do the math, we have had around 65% turnover in core administrators in the past 4 years. This happens for a reason... The Board of Directors seem to believe they are "king of the world" and don't seem to care about working with the community. They are not infallible.
I wonder, would it be possible to reorganize the school district and "redo" how it is set up? Perhaps having 6 directors from Warminster and 3 from Upper Southampton is flawed.

Joe November 5, 2011 at 03:15 pm

$50,000??? What kind of "damages" has he had? If his kids have in fact done something to be taken off the bus then that is on Mr. McGuigan. I agree that if you choose to send your child to a school outside of Centennial then transportation should be up to the parents and not the district. The only exception to this rule should be for children with special needs

Kevin Manning November 7, 2011 at 04:54 am

It doesn't matter what you think should be...it is the LAW

Sandy November 7, 2011 at 08:05 pm

This exact bus route transports about 15 kids a day...is that a waste of money? I dont know who came up with just 2 kids. And the parents might not be able to afford transportation and be going to work.

CyD252 November 8, 2011 at 04:12 pm

I believe the claim is that the bus transports around 15 students to the public school, and the same bus is being used to transport "just two kids" to the charter school.

cris November 8, 2011 at 08:08 pm

There are many other kids transported down to the city. The kids not only go to charter schools but to many private and parochial schools.

PATTI FIORELLA February 21, 2013 at 08:50 pm

Like father, like sons. Mcguigen is a insulting, CLASSLESS, argumentive, condescending, arrogant, FAILURE of a bill collector who would be, no doubt, more suitable and More likely successful as a septic tank emptier. He's a snide, fowl mouth EMBARRASSMENT TO" THE REAL" hard working Attorneys. You OR your troubled kids AREN'T ENTITLED MR. NAPOLIAN COMPLEX. WHAT'S THE MATTER??,, BILL COLLECTING SLOW??? EARN $50,000.00 YOU BUFFOON.

PATTI FIORELLA February 21, 2013 at 08:58 pm

Reject, FITTING! HA!