BOE Listens to 10-Year-Old's Plea For a Ride to School

Ten-year-old Jayden Muniz stood in front of the Montville Public Schools Board of Education Tuesday night and while he spoke softly, his message was heard loud and clear.

Muniz will be attending the Dual Language & Arts Magnet Middle School in Waterford. But he’s got a problem. He needs a ride.

“Please give me transportation to the school,” he asked, politely, if hesitantly. The school describes itself as building a "student body that is bilingual, bi-literate, and multicultural." 

“They have you learn a lot of things, like science, about insects.” And bi-lingually, to boot. “You can learn languages like Spanish and (about) other cultures," he explained.  

The board listened.

“Can we do it,” Schools Superintendent Pamela Aubin asked rhetorically. “I’m looking for direction from the board.”

Member Robert R. Mitchell Jr. was quick to provide that direction.

“I’d like to try and make it work but at no additional cost,” he sad.

BOE chair David C. Rowley agreed.

“I too would like to be as accommodating as possible within the resources we have available. Yes, I’d like to see it work.”

And it was decided. Students from the district that will be attending the Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut at Avery Point in Groton and those that will be attending the Dual Language & Arts Magnet Middle School will be bused, albeit as a pilot program for now.