Montclair School Budget Cuts Trickle Down To Student Transportation

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The aftereffects of Montclair’s trimmed-down school budget continue to echo in the township, including for parents who send their kids to class via bus.

The Montclair Board of Education approved several changes to student transportation for the 2026-2027 academic year at their meeting on Wednesday. Families will now have to live further from their school to qualify.

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Montclair Superintendent Ruth Turner recapped some of the new guidelines in a letter to the school community:

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE - Students in grades K–8 who reside 1.25 miles or more from their assigned school will be eligible for transportation.

HIGH SCHOOL - High school transportation eligibility will remain unchanged. Students in grades 9–12 who reside 2.25 miles or more from Montclair High School will continue to be eligible for transportation.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN - Pre-K students who reside 2.0 miles or more from their assigned school will be eligible for transportation.

“These revisions are part of the district's ongoing efforts to align transportation services with available resources, while maintaining safe, reliable and efficient transportation services for our students,” Turner said.

“We understand that transportation decisions have a direct impact on families' daily routines,” the superintendent added. “The board carefully considered this revision as part of its commitment to balancing operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility and student needs.”

Over the coming weeks, the district’s transportation department will review student eligibility based on the updated policy and communicate directly with affected families regarding transportation assignments and any changes to current service, Turner said.

• Related: Montclair School, Town Budgets Get Green Light (See Tax Impacts)
• Related: How Will Budget Woes Impact Montclair Special Education Students? Here's What District Says
• Related: Montclair School Will Be Turned Into Pre-K Facility Due To Budget Cuts

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