Parents in Washington, DC, are speaking up against schools' unreliable bus services that are causing harm and inconvenience to them and their children with special needs.
In a Council of the Whole Performance Oversight Hearing, hundreds of parents and caregivers of kids with special needs, school administration, and advocates gathered to talk about the school's bus service that has been undependable since the school year started.
Parents expressed their disappointment, claiming that it is unfair how they are not receiving the benefits, comfort, and protection they paid for. They demanded that they deserve much better, WUSA 9 reported.
Bus service unreliable for eight to ten years already
Parent Camille Tate stated that despite paying for the school bus services, her son had not been picked up by the school bus for the entire school year.
She further emphasized how big a problem this is, especially for an autistic child who does not get to school properly on time, as a change in their routine can throw off their whole schedule.
Another parent, Amy Dunn, reported an incident days ago when her son's bus required police and ambulance assistance primarily because there were too many students with special needs on a single bus together.
Other parents were complaining about how it was inconvenient for their special children and them. Parent Renice Robertson stressed how parents are also late for their jobs because the school bus was late or did not arrive without any prior announcement or communication to the parents.
Single mom Dina Tomic pointed out how her job is in "jeopardy" due to inconsistent childcare and transportation.
These and more parents stated their frustration on school buses that have had problems for eight to ten years already. The Washington Post featured this same problem in 2018, reporting that the buses either do not show up or arrive late.
Until now, when parents called and filed a complaint, they would receive an apology, stating that they were short of drivers, who are already doing double shifts, Tate declared.
Robertson expressed that the situation is "unacceptable," and parents and students "deserve better."
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Parents promised that solutions are in the works
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSEE) is the department that provides buses for children with special needs.
Last January, WUSA9 covered the bus route and schedule and discovered 87 routes off schedule in just a day. OSSE blamed it on staffing shortages and callouts.
In a statement released by OSEE Superintendent Dr. Christina Granttold, she stated that addressing the problems the parents highlighted is already in the works with 125 new drivers being currently processed, a new $2,500 employee attendance incentives, a tracking website for parents to know the location of their kids as well as daily morning and afternoon updates regarding bus schedules and a 125 percent increase in the parent reimbursement rate.
"A nationwide bus driver and attendant shortage coupled with an average of 100 staff callouts per day have required the Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) to make complex decisions to serve as many students as possible. These decisions include combining routes, sending drivers and attendants out to complete multiple routes consecutively, and dropping and not servicing some routes as a last resort," Granttold said.
She further explained that when drivers and attendants are not enough to cover daily bus routes, they make do with over 500 buses to serve 3,800 students.
OSEE has addressed the problems, though not totally yet, and understands that both parties still face challenges such as late pick-ups, longer ride times, and the need for families to arrange their travels separately. They assured parents, however, that they know how the challenges negatively impact parents and students. Thus, they are "doing everything" in their power to find solutions.
Another hearing is scheduled on Friday, where education leaders, including OSEE, will testify.
