Ringwood Residents Voice Frustration Over Busing Cuts to Lakeland Regional High School

The elimination of courtesy busing for certain Lakeland Regional High School students has sparked outrage among Ringwood families, who say the change raises safety concerns and creates unnecessary hardship for working parents.

In an August 8 letter to families, Lakeland Regional High School announced that the Borough of Ringwood will no longer provide courtesy busing transportation for students living less than 2.5 miles from the school, starting with the 2025–2026 school year. The letter cited state transportation regulations as the basis for the change.

On the same day, Mayor Jaime Landis issued a statement saying the Borough Council had been “blindsided” by the announcement and that the borough continues to budget $27,000 annually for the program. The mayor attributed the decision to the Lakeland Board of Education.

The conflicting statements have fueled confusion over who is responsible for ending the service. Some residents have pointed to the borough budget, which appears to include funding for Lakeland busing, while others question whether the school district or borough made the call.

For many parents, the focus is on student safety. Residents have raised concerns about children having to walk to school in areas without sidewalks, in darkness, or during extreme weather. “In today’s world, you can’t trust that it’s safe for kids to walk alone, especially in the dark or on icy mornings,” one parent said.

Others expressed frustration over what they see as poor communication. Several described the school’s handling of the change as “shameful” and “disorganized,” with some saying they were left scrambling to figure out transportation just weeks before the school year begins.

Questions about fairness and taxes also surfaced repeatedly. “How is it courtesy busing if it’s been funded by our taxes all along?” one commenter asked. Another questioned why school taxes remain high if services like busing are being reduced.

Some residents criticized the timing and lack of public discussion, describing the move as “hasty” and “without concern for the community.” Others noted that eliminating courtesy busing could force parents to miss work or pay for alternate transportation. “Lost hours are lost income, and that hurts families,” one parent said.

Under the new policy, only students living 2.5 miles or more from the high school will qualify for transportation under state law. All others will need to arrange their own travel.

As of now, no resolution has been announced. The mayor has pledged to advocate for affected families and seek a solution with the school district. We will continue to update you as this story progresses.