Peeved parents: `Enough!'
Slam BPS start times
Boston parents told school officials last night they remain dead set against early start times that would have their young ones at the bus stop at dawn and out of school before the parents can get them.
“I don’t want my child in after-school. I want him with me when he can be. And again who’s gonna pay for it?” Gretchen Lahey said last night at a public hearing in West Roxbury. Lahey is a state worker who said she cannot afford to pay for additional child care. “Do I have to pay for it? I’m struggling as it is to pay for the after-school that he’s in now in his school. You’re putting buses and transportation before our children and it is uncalled for.”
Changes to school start times were passed by a unanimous school committee, but the details were worked out on a school-by-school basis. Shocked parents are now staring down schedules that would start early and end by 1:15 p.m. — many hours before most parents get out of work. That could force kids to spend 12 hours at school per day between regular class time and after-school child care.
At last night’s meeting, school district officials said the dramatic shift in start and end times was a by-product of starting high school students later. However, parents like Sherry Tyrance, who puts her 5-year-old on the bus in the morning, were not appeased.
“The idea that we want kids out of school before it gets dark is crazy,” Tyrance said. “But they are now going to school in the dark, which is a problem. Earlier start times? Yep, that’s great. I agree with it. My child’s school starts at 8:20. Eight o’clock? No problem. Who knew early meant 7:15?”
School officials tried to answer questions, but the purpose of the meeting was to gather feedback for school officials to see if any solution can be found.
“If nothing else I want folks to understand how much we do care,” said Roy Consalvo, chief of staff to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang. “That’s why we’re here. That’s why we’re here as parents and, yes, BPS employees, and we totally hear loud and clear that those concerns are out there.”
Sarah Johnson, a U.S. Navy wife whose husband will deploy in January, said she’ll have no one to help her with the new schedule.
“You’re not answering questions about the wellbeing of our children,” she said. “The only thing you have to say is about transportation and saving money. We want to know what you care about.”
The parents of special needs children said the hours will fall particularly hard on their children, who depend on routines and caregivers.
One woman who declined to give her name said her special needs son has a life expectancy of 15 years. She said the new schedule would not permit her husband to see him during the week.
“He will never see his father. He has a life expectancy of 15. Do I really want my husband to never see our son because of all this crap?” she said to standing applause. “Change it then. Just say ‘We get it.’ ... This is a health issue for my son. This is a life issue for my family. For all of us. Enough!”