I would like to address the transportation issue for changing the distance for busing from one and a half miles back to one mile.

I'm a single father of two, my daughter's in the 8th grade and my son will begin the middle school in September. I work in lower Manhattan and am in my office at 7:30 a.m., most days. This means I have to rely on neighbors and friends to get my children to school. We live 1.3 miles away and the thought of walking in this day and age is not an option for my children or any of the children in Strathmore Vanderbilt or South Strathmore.

When this issue was first introduced as Proposition No. 2, on last year's ballot, my immediate reaction was, what official or officials on the school board would propose this as an efficient way to cut budget costs. I still believe there should be disclosure as I don't want to vote for that person responsible in the next school board election. I don't believe that person or persons have my children's best interests in mind.

Proposition No. 2 was worded in such a way that you needed to vote no to maintain the one mile walking distance. Many people with children in the school system have very busy schedules and run in and out voting yes across the board, assuming to maintain services. I know of a number of people who this happened to and they felt betrayed and embarrassed. That vote lost by 14.

If even one child is hurt because of being forced to walk, the $31,000 of savings the board advised at a January 2005 board of ed meeting, would be insignificant and desperate. Furthermore, the fact that 375 children are technically walking to school each day may invite a predator element into the neighborhood.

Another problem being caused by the increased walking distance is the traffic at and around the school. For every 40 kids on a bus, just add another 25-30 cars in the parking lot. Driving to and from school can easily turn a five-minute ride into a 30-minute event.

I would like to know which board member or members devised this brilliant antidote for saving budget costs. I for one do not want to vote for this mentality next time around.

Bill Davis