Parents, W.O.C.C.I.S.D to face off on busing issue

Some irate parents are planning to challenge West Orange-Cove school trustees. They're angry about a decision trustees made about busing students home after events like football games.  That group met tonight to put together a strategy for its meeting with the board next week.

Parents and coaches say the fight isn't just about football... it's about every sport, in every school, at every level.

The talk is over a change in a long-standing transportation policy the West Orange-Cove Consolidated school district made last month.  Citing the need to save money, trustees voted to stop busing the district's athletes to their homes after practices and games.  Instead, the students will be dropped off at their campus.  The district says the cut keeps $25,000 in the bank.

But parents and coaches say that transportation was vital for younger athletes and those who are underprivileged.  They also feel the board had several other options to save money before cutting such a necessity.  And that's part of the message this group hopes to share with the board to get the decision tossed out.

The group plans to argue its points to trustees during the board's monthly committee workshop meeting next Tuesday, January 20th.  The board may take action at that meeting, or wait until the monthly regular meeting to address the issue.