“Really?” CT Senate GOP on Bridgeport School Walking Policy

For Immediate Release 

Sen. Eric Berthel and Sen, Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding the Bridgeport Board of Education voting to alter the school district’s future walking distance policy by increasing the maximum mileage for students who walk from home to school or to a bus stop. https://www.ctpost.com/news/education/article/bridgeport-schools-walking-distance-busing-student-21043425.php

“So, under this future policy, Bridgeport kindergartners will walk up to 1.5 miles to school and up to 1.5 miles from school?

Five-year olds?

Really?

And Bridgeport high schoolers will walk up to 2.5 miles to school and up to 2.5 miles from school?

This change would impact the safety of thousands of Bridgeport students.

Education experts have also warned this could lead to an increase in tardiness and absenteeism.

We again urge Gov. Lamont and the State Department of Education to look into this matter.

Bridgeport students already face many considerable challenges. Do they really deserve to have the longest walks to and from school in the U.S.? ”