Recently, the rampant lack of work ethic among Dade County public school bus drivers was magnified when without proper notification many of the drivers did not show-up for work in order to attend a protest rally in Tallahassee against the Florida One Plan. I think it is admirable that the drivers went to Tallahassee. I, too, do not support any plan that would make it more difficult for minorities to attend college. However, for whatever reason, it is wrong to leave children stranded on corners waiting for school buses.

As the school year enters its last semester, I have lost track of the number of times my son and daughter have been left stranded. My children attend different schools and are on two separate bus routes, yet both routes have been plagued by no-show buses, which leads me to believe that this is a systemic problem. Despite my complaints to supervisors and administrators, only intermittent intervals of reliable service have occurred all year.

In all probability, many of you may be thinking that it is moronic for me to write about school bus problems when there are so many more serious problems within our school system. Hence, our overcrowded schools, top administrators with fake diplomas, overworked and undepaid teachers, a school board with members who name schools after themselves and, of course the most egregious offense, graduates who cannot read or write.

However, my point is similar to law enforcement's "broken window" theory. The broken window theory is a proven one. Although, the broken window appears to be insignificant in the larger scheme of things, if you don't fix the window it will contribute to a more rapid decline of an entire neighborhood.

Accordingly, if the school system cannot provide a reliable bus system for its students, what hope can we hold for the future of the school system as it exists now and within an environment of ever growing complexities and challenges.

You may contact me at 305-666-7969 or via fax at 305-666-8487.