Officials in Lakewood are working to avert a school bus protest which could clog with streets with hundreds of cars.

Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewski — a longtime political and Orthodox Jewish community leader in Lakewood — signed off on a letter last week calling for the parents of nonpublic school students to drive their children to classes and not allow them to ride the buses on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Writing the letter on behalf of Iggud Hamosdos — a consortium of private Orthodox schools in Lakewood — Schenkolewski wants parents to fill the streets with cars on days when the buses are available as a “drill” for what may occur in September, when the nearly $4 million courtesy busing practice is due to end for an estimated 8,100 students in grades four to 12.

Courtesy busing is provided as a convenience for students who live within 2½ miles of their schools.

School Superintendent Laura Winters tells the Asbury Park Press all school buses will operate on Tuesday and Wednesday.

(AP)