Survey: Most New Canaan students may not take bus this fall

NEW CANAAN — Only 40 percent of parents have decided to put their children on the bus this fall if schools open their doors, according to a survey of parents, teachers and students on distance learning.

“You see more people opting out, saying they would not be using district transportation if we go back to full-time in-person instruction,” Superintendent Bryan Luizzi said as he presented the results of the survey during a Board of Education webinar on July 13.

The firm surveyed 2,352 New Canaan responders made up of 1,150 K-6 parents; 1,202 of seventh grade to 12th grade parents; 403 older students (7-12) and 217 teachers.

The survey found that 30 percent of elementary school parents do not want their children to use transportation provided by the district and another 30 percent were not sure. In comparison, 82 percent of the elementary parents who responded to survey, had planned on using transportation provided by the school prior to the pandemic.

For the 7-12 students, 27 percent would rely on district transportation to school, 51 percent would not and 22 percent were unsure.

Prior to pandemic, 53 percent had planned on using the district transportation, 44 percent would not and three unsure.

The study also found the biggest challenge for 74 percent of parents of pre-K and elementary school students was giving the additional assistance needed by their children to complete their homework and activities.

In elementary school 34 percent always needed supervision, 27 percent often needed help and 24 percent demanded some parental time.

“A significant amount of time parents were helping their children in elementary,” Luizzi said.