NORWICH – The debate over changes in the busing policy at the Norwich City School District wages on after a meeting of the district’s board of education Tuesday night.

Five people addressed the board during the meeting, each criticizing the school district for its newest transportation policy, now under fire. The policy requires that students riding the bus after school have one consistent drop-off location as opposed to previous years’ policy that permitted last-minute changes for students riding to locations other than their usual destination.

According to district officials, policy changes were made in an attempt to limit confusion and secure safety measures, helping to ensure every child goes where they are supposed to when school lets out. The goal is to maintain consistency and safety, especially for the younger students from Gibson and Perry Browne Elementary.

Prior to receiving public comment during Tuesday’s meeting, School Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan noted that the district has on occasion made exceptions for parents, usually due to unforeseen emergencies. Some attendees responded sharply to the school’s handling of its policy.