RICHMOND - In an effort to cut costs and reduce emissions, Edison Local School District is discontinuing its school bus program. Instead, students will be provided with school-owned bicycles. Superintendent Dave Quattrochi told us that he thinks the new program will have multiple benefits for the school, and for the students.
"We are actually able to lay off more bus drivers than we originally planned to," said Quattrochi. "Another person we were able to fire was our gym teacher because our students are getting proper exercise before and after school. It really frees up our budget for more important things."
The $975,000 increase in the district's budget means that the school board will finally be able to move forward with the long delayed action of giving themselves a raise.
"My daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party is next month," said board member Kathy Clark. "I'm just super excited that we'll be able to throw her a birthday party in the Bahamas with all her friends."
Tensions between the board and some of the fired bus drivers came to a breaking point after driver Dave McCormack lashed out on Twitter.
"My son's thirteenth birthday party is in two weeks," he tweeted. "All I can afford to get him is a toy truck from Goodwill. #stupidbitch"
Clark is now filing a lawsuit against Mr. McCormack for sexism.
Parents, however, are reportedly very happy about the school's new plan.
"Now I don't have to worry if that stupid kid caught the bus or not," said Irondale resident Glen Mustaine. "If she wakes up late, then it's her own damn fault. She can take herself to school."
The fourteen mile bike ride to Richmond takes his daughter Hannah roughly three and a half to four hours to complete. Hannah said that usually wakes up at about 3 A.M. and leaves a half hour later.
"And the ride back usually takes her longer, so she gets home at about 7," her father said. "She has to get right to bed when she comes home though. That way she gets her full eight hours of sleep for the next school day."
