The East Ramapo Central School District has terminated its director of transportation amid a debate over transportation expenses in the district's budget.

The announcement about Janette Silva came at the end of last night's board meeting.

The board is exploring options to address its budgetary challenges, with a focus on reducing student transportation costs. Recent projections suggest that the district could allocate over $76 million for student transportation during the 2024-2025 school year, prompting the board to seek cost-saving measures.

One proposed solution is to increase the walking radius from schools, potentially affecting between 12,000 to 22,000 students across various distance options. While this move aims to alleviate budget pressures, concerns have been raised regarding safety and the impact on parents, particularly those with younger children who may face logistical challenges if bus services are reduced.

During discussions, some school board members suggested renegotiating bus contracts as another avenue to address transportation expenses.