Randolph, in budget squeeze, cuts school bus service

RANDOLPH, Mass. --Children in Randolph won't be waiting for the bus this school year.

The cash-strapped town is doing away with busing for most students in a move the town says saves $500,000.

The state requires schools to provide busing to children through 6th grade if they live more than two miles away. But Randolph got around the law by redistricting children so they live closer to their schools.

Now, only special education students and foreign students in need of extra schooling can catch a bus to school.

Some parents aren't happy. Martha Baum, a single mother of three, told The Boston Globe she has to get her kids up at 4 a.m. to get to school on time because she doesn't want them walking.

Larry Azer, the School Committee chairman, says cutting busing is preferable to cutting teachers.