This time around it appears the traffic tie up is aimed at state officials or the Christie administration to change the formula of state funding to the Lakewood school district. The APP reports that organizers are planning on a drill that can tie up traffic to protest next year’s elimination of courtesy busing for students in fourth through 12th grades. The current BOE budget for next year, does not allocate funding for courtesy busing. Mosdos are asking parents to take to the streets in their cars this week on Wednesday and Thursday June 11, and 12. They notified the township to prepare for what may come in September at the beginning of the school year. We understand the ramifications that this might have on the township and are therefore giving ample time for the town to mobilize their resources to prepare for the upcoming drill,” wrote one of the organizers according to the APP.The point is not merely a protest or any retribution as in the infamous bridgegate scandal, it is more of a drill to prepare for what will come in the beginning of the coming school year. It will mean over 10,000 students will be carpooled daily on the already congested roads of Lakewood. It is not only a Lakewood issue other NJ towns such as Teaneck, Passaic, Tenafly as well as school districts in Neighboring NY state are experiencing similar challenges. Community leaders are hoping Trenton will hear the plight and bring about much needed change to the unique situation where most of the tax payers send their children to private schools which amounts to 30,000 students verses the 5,000 in the public school system. It is also an opportunity to bring up the conversation of vouchers for parents who wish to send their children to private schools. This action supposedly has the endorsement of the Roshei yeshiva and Rabbanim of Lakewood.
Lakewood Yeshiva Beth Medrash Govoha will excuse youngeleit who participate in shmiras hasdorim program (incentive for coming on time) due to the unique situation.
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